As the 2025 WNBA regular season concludes and the playoffs tip off, the league's top performers and coaches are being recognized with prestigious end-of-season awards. ESPN's panel, consisting of Kendra Andrews, Kevin Pelton, Alexa Philippou, and Michael Voepel, has cast their final votes for MVP and all major awards, reflecting a season filled with outstanding individual achievements and dramatic team narratives.

The race for **Most Valuable Player** was a tight contest, particularly between A'ja Wilson of the Las VegasAces and Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx. While Collier led for much of the season, Wilson's incredible finishing kick, including a 15-game winning streak for the Aces, propelled her to become ESPN's unanimous pick. A'ja Wilson secured her fourth regular-season MVP, an unprecedented achievement in WNBA history. Napheesa Collier was named the runner-up, a testament to her dominant performance despite missing 10 games due to an ankle sprain, which would be the most ever by an MVP winner.

Photo Credit: ESPN

**Rookie of the Year** was awarded unanimously to Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings. Despite a challenging season for her team marked by a slew of injuries, Bueckers' performance stood out historically, ranking seventh in league history among rookies for scoring average and on track to be only the second rookie to average 19 points and five assists. Her 44-point game against the Sparks, on 80% shooting, cemented her case. Sonia Citron of the Washington Mysticswas recognized as the runner-up for her strong efficiency and defensive prowess.

For **Defensive Player of the Year**, Alanna Smith of the Minnesota Lynx was ESPN's pick. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve frequently praised Smith as integral to Minnesota having the league's best defensive rating, with Smith ranking third in blocks per game and defensive rating. While A'ja Wilson, a two-time DPOY winner, was a strong contender and runner-up, Smith's consistent reliability in a top-notch team defense earned her the honor.

The **Most Improved Player** award went unanimously to Veronica Burton of the Golden State Valkyries. Her emergence coincided with the Valkyries' success, as she became a key offensive threat and one of the best players in the league, averaging at least 10 points, 5 assists, and 1.5 made 3-pointers per game. Her minutes and points per game saw significant jumps. Naz Hillmon of the Atlanta Dream was the runner-up, lauded for becoming an anchor to Atlanta's second unit.

Speaking ofNaz Hillmon, she was ESPN's unanimous choice for **Sixth Player of the Year**. As the runner-up for Most Improved Player, Hillmon's offensive game blossomed this season, adding 52 three-pointers after making only one in her first three WNBA seasons. She has been a reliable momentum shift for the Dream. Natisha Hiedeman of the Minnesota Lynx was the runner-up for her consistent defense and energy off the bench.

Finally, **Coach of the Year** was unanimously awarded to Natalie Nakase of the Golden State Valkyries. Nakase led the WNBA's first expansion team since 2008 to a playoff berth in their inaugural season, a historical first. Her emphasis on defense resulted in the Valkyries having the fourth-best defensive rating in the league and allowing the fewest opponent points. Karl Smesko of the Atlanta Dream was the runner-up, having led his team to a franchise-record 29 wins in his first year as a WNBA head coach.

The 2025 WNBA playoffs are set to begin Sunday, September 14. The postseason features an expanded format: the first round is best-of-three (1-1-1), the semifinals are best-of-five (2-2-1), and for the first time, the WNBA Finals will be a best-of-seven series (2-2-1-1-1). The Minnesota Lynx secured the No. 1 seed and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, while the Seattle Storm clinched the eighth and final berth on Tuesday, eliminating the Los Angeles Sparks from contention. Other clinched teams include the Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, Phoenix Mercury (No. 4 seed, playing New York), New York Liberty (No. 5 seed, playing Phoenix), Golden State Valkyries, and Indiana Fever. The Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Dallas Wings, and Washington Mystics have been eliminated.

Many teams entered the playoffs with compelling storylines. The **Las Vegas Aces** have shown a dramatic in-season turnaround, extending their winning streak to 15 games and solidifying their position as a top contender, partly due to Jewell Loyd's willingness to come off the bench. The **Minnesota Lynx** have been the most consistent team all season, maintaining high standards even after clinching the top seed.

The **Atlanta Dream**, under first-year coach Karl Smesko, transformed into a formidable contender, showcasing a top-tier offense and defense. The **Phoenix Mercury**, with a revamped roster led by Alyssa Thomas (who set a new WNBA record with seven triple-doubles this season) and Satou Sabally, are back in the top four.

The **Golden State Valkyries** made history as the first expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in its debut season, wildly outperforming expectations under Coach Natalie Nakase. The **New York Liberty**, defending champions, are battling injuries to key players like Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu, which has affected their consistency. The **Indiana Fever** clinched their second consecutive playoff berth despite losing star Caitlin Clark and four other players to season-ending injuries, demonstrating remarkable resilience and securing their first winning season since 2015.

Photo Credit: Fox News

They will host a playoff game in Indianapolis for the first time since 2015. The **Seattle Storm** secured the final playoff spot with a last-second jumper from Erica Wheeler in their final regular-season game, showcasing grit despite struggles at home.

Coaching performances were also a highlight, with Natalie Nakase of the Golden State Valkyries significantly exceeding her team's preseason win projection by +15.4 wins. Karl Smesko of the Atlanta Dream was second, exceeding expectations by +7.9 wins, transforming the Dream into a contender. In contrast, coaches like Tyler Marsh of the Chicago Sky and Chris Koclanes of the Dallas Wings saw their teams fall short of preseason projections, grappling with injuries and roster adjustments.

The final WNBA Power Rankings reflect these trends. The Las Vegas Acessurged to the top spot due to their impressive winning streak, followed by the consistent Minnesota Lynx. The Atlanta Dream and Phoenix Mercury rounded out the top four, while the Golden State Valkyries' overperformance placed them fifth. The playoffs promise intense competition, with several teams demonstrating the potential for a deep run and the hope of clinching the WNBA championship.