Napheesa Collier Joins A'ja Wilson in WNBA History After Lynx-Valkyries

The Minnesota Lynx superstar joined some elite company with her latest feat.

Sep 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) reacts during the first half against the Connecticut Sun of game one of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The 2025 WNBA MVP race has been heating up recently, with Minnesota Lynx's Napheesa Collier and Las Vegas Aces' A'ja Wilson going at it. Collier has been the league's best player for the majority of the 2025 season, but Wilson has led the Aces to an active 13-game winning streak, while putting up absurd numbers to put herself back in front of the MVP race.

This season, Collier is averaging 23.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 52.6% from the field, 39.2% from three-point range, and 90.6% from the free-throw line. Collier has also led the Lynx to a league-best 33-9 record, as the team has already secured the top seed heading into the playoffs.

Napheesa Collier joins WNBA history

Aug 24, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) looks on against the Indiana Fever in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images / Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

On Saturday, Collier and the Lynx picked up a huge 78-72 road win over the Golden State Valkyries. Standout sixth player Natisha Hiedeman led the Lynx in scoring with 24 points on 6-10 shooting from three-point range, but Collier certainly did her thing as well. Collier chipped in 20 points on 6-16 shooting from the field and 4-8 from deep, securing her spot in WNBA history.

With her performance on Saturday in Golden State, Collier has officially become the third player in WNBA history to reach 700+ points, 50+ steals, and 50+ blocks in a season. Collier became the second-fastest player in WNBA history to reach those numbers in a season (32 games), trailing only A'ja Wilson, who did it in 26 games in the 2022 season.

🚨 Napheesa Collier became just the third player in WNBA history to record 700+ points, 50+ steals, and 50+ blocks in a single season!

She achieved this feat in only 32 games, making her the second-fastest to do so—trailing only A’ja Wilson, who reached the mark in 26 games… pic.twitter.com/Py33IYF1Gp

— WNBA (@WNBA) September 7, 2025

It is only fitting that, as Collier battles Wilson for the 2025 MVP award, she joins her in league history. Wilson is one of the most decorated players the league has ever seen, as she is one of just four players who have won three MVP awards, and she won all three before even turning 29 years old.

Wilson continues to cement herself as one of the best players in WNBA history, so Collier joining her in MVP talks and in historic lists like this one is certainly an accomplishment.

Jul 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) shoots against the Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) in the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images / Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Collier and Wilson certainly have a similar goal this season, regardless of who wins MVP, and that is to win a championship. After finishing as the runner-up for the MVP award and a championship in the 2024 season, Collier undoubtedly has her eyes set on both this year, and the Lynx are in a great spot to bring home a title.

Related Articles

feed