As the 2025 WNBA playoffs get underway, the league will begin announcing winners of its end-of-season awards.
The process began on Monday, Sept. 15, when the WNBA named its Most Improved Player for the 2025 season and it runs through Sunday, Sept. 21, with a much-anticipated MVP announcement. The league's second announcement was Rookie of the Year on Tuesday, Sept. 16.
10 of the league's 13 end-of-season awards are voted on by a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. The league also gives out Peak Performer Awards to its statistical leaders in points, rebounds, and assists per game.
Here is a running list of end-of-season award winners for the 2025 WNBA season.
MORE: Everything to know about the WNBA Playoffs in 2025
2025 WNBA awards
Coach of the Year: Natalie Nakase, Golden State Valkyries
The @StateStreetETFs WNBA Coach of the Year is Natalie Nakase 👏
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 17, 2025
Congratulations to first year Head Coach Natalie Nakase, who took charge and made an immediate impact for the @valkyries
Under Coach Nakase, the franchise accomplished many FIRSTS in their inaugural season 🫡 pic.twitter.com/ecaT4wBw8N
The honors continue to roll in for the Golden State Valkyries, as the expansion franchise's first-year head coach, Natalie Nakase, was named WNBA Coach of the Year on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
Nakase led Golden State to a 23-21 record and the WNBA's eighth seed. Her coaching efforts resulted in the Valkyries becoming the first WNBA franchise to qualify for the playoffs in their inaugural season.
Rookie of the Year: Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings
Paige Bueckers is the 2025 WNBA @Kia Rookie of the Year 🏆
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 16, 2025
Averaging 19.2 PPG, 5.4 APG, 3.9 RPG, Bueckers led the @dallaswings as one of the most dynamic rookies the league has ever seen.
#KiaROY | #WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/VtT01Qwzr0
Dallas Wings' No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers is, unsurprisingly, Rookie of the Year for the 2025 WNBA season.
Bueckers took the league by storm in her first pro season, averaging 19.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game over 36 games. Her season included two games with 30-plus points, including a 44-point outburst against the Sparks on Aug. 20.
Most Improved Player: Veronica Burton, Golden State Valkyries
Veronica Burton of the @valkyries is your 2025 WNBA KIA Most Improved Player!
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 15, 2025
Burton embraced a new opportunity in Golden State, and went from 3.1 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 1.9 APG and 0.5 SPG a szn ago to averaging career-highs of 11.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 6.0 APG and 1.1 SPG 👏
#KIAMIP | @KIA pic.twitter.com/KQD6bCTpTk
Valkyries guard Veronica Burton has been named Most Improved Player for the 2025 WNBA season.
Burton, who was waived by the Wings before the 2024 season, signed with the Sun and carved a role before being made available in the 2025 expansion draft. After averaging 2.7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists through her first three seasons, Burton averaged 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists for Golden State in 2025.
Defensive Player of the Year
The WNBA will announce the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday, Sept. 18.
Sixth Player of the Year
The WNBA will announce the 2025 Sixth Player of the Year on Saturday, Sept. 20.
Most Valuable Player
The WNBA will announce finalists for 2025 MVP on Friday, Sept. 19, and reveal the winner on Sunday, Sept. 21.