Who won WNBA MVP? Why Aces star A'ja Wilson won 2025 award over Lynx's Napheesa Collier

The race to win the WNBA MVP in 2025 was one for the ages, with no wrong selection to take home the award.

While the Phoenix Mercury's Alyssa Thomas and the Atlanta Dream's Allisha Gray both turned in impressive seasons worthy of consideration, the race came down to two candidates: Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier and Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson.

The league did not waste much time announcing the winner, sharing the list of finalists just eight days after the regular season concluded. The announcement came 48 hours later, in time for the award winner to hoist the trophy in front of their home fans.

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For the second consecutive season, and fourth time in her career, Aces sensation Aj'a Wilson received the honor — but not without raising some eyebrows considering the battle with Lynx star Napheesa Collier. Wilson's win wasn't exactly close: she received 51 first-place votes while Collier received 18.

A national panel of 72 sportswriters and broadcasters selected the winners of the 2025 Kia WNBA Most Valuable Player. The complete voting results ⬇️ https://t.co/7xJmnw3wWq pic.twitter.com/JPXUxaBEUX

— WNBA Communications (@WNBAComms) September 21, 2025

Here's more on how the MVP award was won in 2025.

MORE: Complete list of 2025 WNBA award winners

Why A'ja Wilson won WNBA MVP award

For Wilson, it wasn't how things started, but rather how they finished.

After an embarrassing 53-point loss on Aug. 2, Wilson tapped into another level to lead Vegas to 16 consecutive wins, a 30-14 record, and the No. 2 seed in the WNBA playoffs.

For the season, Wilson averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, but her numbers during the win streak were otherworldly.

To close the season, Wilson averaged 26.0 points and 12.1 rebounds, dominating on a nightly basis to save what many viewed as a lost season for the Aces. She provided nightly reminders of her standing as the world's best player and got the hardware to show for it, again.

Widening the focus back to the full body of work this season, Wilson appeared in 40 of 44 games, and the Aces were 29-11 when she suited up. Without her? An unsavory 1-3 mark that left plenty more to be desired, regardless of how small the sample size was.

By definition, no player in the league brings more value to their team than Wilson.

Wilson has rewritten the history books as she breaks a four-way tie to become the first four-time MVP in WNBA history. Before turning 30, Wilson is a two-time champion, three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and four-time MVP.

FOUR. EVER. THE. ONE. 👑

A surprise fit for history. A’ja Wilson adds to her legacy in unforgettable fashion.#KiaMVP | #WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/Vf1EkuWH8d

— WNBA (@WNBA) September 21, 2025

MORE: Everything to know about the WNBA Playoffs in 2025

A'ja Wilson vs. Napheesa Collier stats

WNBA MVP award winners

Most WNBA MVP awards by player