Napheesa Collier has drawn comparisons to NBA star Kevin Durant, not only for her skills and performance on the court but also for her current journey through MVP voting challenges. ESPN’s Elle Duncan highlighted this comparison on a recent episode of “A Touch More” with Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe, suggesting that Collier is experiencing a similar situation to Durant before he clinched the MVP title in 2014. Just as Durant repeatedly finished second to LeBron James, Collier finds herself coming up short in MVP voting due to the historic performances of her peers.
Collier, a formidable force on both ends of the floor, finished second in MVP voting last season to A’ja Wilson. Despite Collier’s impressive season, Wilson’s standout achievements, including leading in total points, rebounds, and blocks, rightfully earned her the MVP title. This echoes Durant’s experience, who similarly lost out to LeBron James in the MVP races of 2012 and 2013 before finally securing the award in 2014.
Entering the 2025 season, Collier was a popular choice for MVP. Her performances were formidable, with an impressive average of 22.9 points in addition to notable shooting percentages and defensive stats. Despite being on track for MVP, her prospects were dampened by an ankle injury, which coincided with A’ja Wilson’s resurgence. Wilson’s commendable end-of-season performance solidified her candidacy, leading the league in multiple key stats and elevating her team to a strong playoff position.
The official MVP announcement is awaited with anticipation, following Wilson’s recognition as AP Player of the Year. As it stands, the MVP race remains intensely competitive, mirroring the close rivalry seen in previous years between legendary players. The unfolding of these events adds another layer of excitement to the league, as players push the boundaries of performance and resilience, inspiring their fans and teammates alike.