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"Phee will be MVP": Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve raves about Napheesa Collier’s growth amid stellar season
WNBA star Napheesa Collier and the Minnesota Lynx have one regular season game left before the postseason begins on Sept. 22. While the WNBA MVP race is close, Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve believes Napheesa Collier is in the mix.
While appearing on In Case You Missed It with Khristina Williams, Reeve discussed Collier's growth. As Reeve explained, Collier rises to the occasion and improves her game each year regardless of what she and the Lynx coaching staff throw at her.
In addition, she made it clear that Collier hasn't hit her ceiling yet, and still has room for improvement:
"She's not done yet. You know, Phee will be MVP of the WNBA. We know she was in the conversation last season. She's further in the conversation this season. We'll see how things turn out.
"We've still got more season to play, but her evolution has just been incredible. It's allowed our franchise to transition from its post-dynasty years into a group that has another chance to win a WNBA championship. That's because of the Napheesa Collier."
It isn't just Collier's growth that has impressed Reeve and the WNBA community. Her team's success has also garnered praise.
Last season, Minnesota finished with the sixth-best record in the league at 19-21. This season, the team is poised to earn the WNBA's second-best record.
Looking at Napheesa Collier's stats in 2024 compared to 2023, as well as the WNBA MVP race
Napheesa Collier has improved this season while maintaining a 20+ point-per-game scoring average.
Last season, Collier averaged a career-high 21.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
This season, Collier averages 20.4 points per game and a career-high 9.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game.
She is also more efficient. Her 48.5% field goal percentage last season has increased to 49.2% this season.
While Collier's stats are impressive, A'ja Wilson is still the betting favorite to win the 2024 WNBA MVP. BetMGM lists Wilson as a -3500 favorite, followed by Collier with +3000 odds and Caitlin Clark with +7500 odds.
Although Wilson's Aces have fewer wins than Collier's Lynx, the reigning WNBA Finals MVP averages 26.9 points and 11.9 rebounds.
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