As the WNBA season nears its close, early prognostications for major awards reveal a shifting landscape, with some preseason favorites facing increased competition or outright challenges. While predictions circulated in May, later-season reporting from September indicates a divergence in expected outcomes for key honors.
The narrative around the MVP award appears to be solidifying around Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx, who is consistently cited as a leading candidate by multiple outlets. She is reportedly leading the league in scoring and plays for the current top-ranked team. This strong performance positions her as a focal point, though A'ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark remain in the discussion.
Meanwhile, the Rookie of the Year award seems heavily tipped towards Paige Bueckers, with one report suggesting a unanimous consensus for the Dallas Wings player. Her debut is marked as a significant event to open the season.
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Other awards show more contention:
Defensive Player of the Year: While A'ja Wilson was a preseason contender, later reporting highlights Alanna Smith of the Minnesota Lynx as a prominent candidate, sharing this consideration with MVP contenders like Collier and Thomas.
Most Improved Player: This award appears to have a clear frontrunner in Veronica Burton of the Golden State Valkyries, with several sources identifying her as the predicted winner. Her emergence is directly linked to her team's success.
Sixth Woman of the Year: Predictions lean towards Naz Hillmon of the Atlanta Dream, with one report noting her league-leading scoring efforts this season and a significant improvement in three-point shooting. Earlier predictions had varied, with Kennedy Burke of the New York Liberty also considered a strong contender before her move to the starting lineup.
Coach of the Year: Stephanie White of the Indiana Fever is frequently mentioned as a strong candidate, with some reports indicating unanimous picks for her and the Fever's Executive of the Year. However, Natalie Nakase of the Golden State Valkyries also emerges as a significant contender, reflecting her team's surprising success.
The league's opening also brings attention to marquee matchups, including the New York Liberty receiving their championship rings before facing the Las Vegas Aces, and a renewed rivalry between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky. The expansion of the Golden State Valkyries and the debut of top draft picks like Paige Bueckers mark notable points of interest for the 2025 season. The absence of veteran Diana Taurasi is also noted as a shift in the league's dynamics.
