Becky Hammon shuts down Collier for MVP push

If you ask Becky Hammon, there’s only one candidate for MVP this season: the 3-time winner of the same award in 2020, 2022, and 2024, A’ja Wilson. As Hammon made abundantly clear ahead of the Ace’s game against the Sky September 9.

“This is who’s the best in the league. This is the league MVP. So please stop all that silliness talking about who’s more impactful on their team,” Hammon said in response to a question about MVP ballots and odds that favor Napheesa Collier over Wilson for MVP. “By the way, A’ja wins that argument too. We went one and three without her. She impacts both sides of the game.”

“Nobody cares about your feelings and your opinions,” Hamnon continued. “Math doesn’t lie. The numbers are the numbers. I’m sorry if you don’t like it and whether she’s winning her 12th MVP, which she very well could in her career or her first.”

Hammon also emphasized a crucial point: “You don’t crown someone at the beginning of the year and then walk it back so that it fits your narrative. That’s why you don’t do that.”

Many were willing to crown Napheesa Collier this season

The 2025 season began with many fans and media members alike ready to crown Napheesa Collier the league’s MVP — very nearly before any games had been played at all. There’s no denying Collier has made a strong case for herself, and it’s unlikely this year’s winner will receive unanimous votes no matter who it is.

But Wilson’s case might just be stronger. Wilson, who began the season as the presumptive MVP and has done little to indicate she’s willing to give up that crown, has driven the Aces to 15 consecutive wins and is arguably playing the best basketball of her life (something that’s been said of her toward the end of several recent WNBA seasons, but that always seems to be true).

As of September 10, the Aces are behind only the Mercury — by one game — for the second-longest win streak in league history (the Los Angeles Sparks racked up 18 consecutive wins in 2001), and the team is likely to move past Phoenix after they play the Sparks Thursday night.

Wilson and Collier aren’t the only MVP-worthy candidates this year

In addition to Wilson and Collier, three other WNBA stars have stood out this season: Alyssa Thomas, Allisha Gray, and Kelsey Mitchell. Of those three, Thomas has especially had a wildly impressive season this year. She racked up eight triple-doubles (and could even tack on a ninth during the team’s final game against the Wings tonight) and has been a consistent presence for the Mercury in every single aspect of the game. Phoenix is preparing for a major playoffs push, and Thomas will undoubtedly be part of that process.