The WNBA MVP race just took a major turn. Caitlin Clark, the league’s brightest star, is temporarily out with a leg injury. As expected, that changed everything. The MVP betting landscape reacted fast—and one name now stands above the rest. Napheesa Collier is the new MVP favorite and she might just win it this year.
Napheesa Collier Replaces Caitlin Clark As MVP Favorite
Clark’s Injury Shakes Up MVP Race
The Indiana Fever confirmed that Clark will miss at least two weeks. She’s dealing with a quadriceps strain. That news caused a ripple effect across sportsbooks.
Before her injury, Clark was neck-and-neck with Collier in MVP odds. Now, the tables have turned. Napheesa Collier is the MVP favorite at most betting sites. At Hard Rock, Collier leads with -170 odds. Clark drops to +260.
That kind of movement in odds means the sportsbooks see this as a pivotal moment. It’s not just about Clark missing games—it’s about how dominant Collier has been.
Napheesa Collier Is Dominating on Both Ends
If you’re wondering why Napheesa Collier is the MVP favorite now, the numbers tell the story. She’s averaging 26.8 points per game. That’s the highest in the league. Kelsey Plum trails at 25.2.
But scoring isn’t all she does. Collier pulls down 7.8 rebounds, racks up 2.4 steals, and blocks 1.4 shots per game. She’s a force on both ends. Her MVP case doesn’t just rest on flashy offense—it’s about her all-around impact.
She’s also coming off a Defensive Player of the Year season and helping lead a 4–0 Lynx team that looks hungry to return to the Finals.
Building A Brand While Leading the League
Collier’s rise isn’t limited to the court. Earlier this month, she signed a deal with Nike’s Jordan Brand. She also co-founded Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 offseason league giving players more opportunities and exposure.
In other words, she’s becoming a face of the WNBA both in games and in the wider sports world. That visibility matters. MVP voters look at more than stats—they look at influence, leadership, and impact. All of these things help explain why Napheesa Collier is the MVP favorite right now.
Other Contenders Are Still in the Mix
Even with Clark out, she’s still second in MVP odds. That’s a testament to how valuable she is to the league. She’s averaging 19 points, 9.3 assists, and 6 rebounds in four games. The Fever sit at 2-2. If she returns quickly and dominates, she could climb back up.
A’ja Wilson remains a strong candidate at +650. She’s won the award three times. But with such a slow start for the Aces, her odds have taken a hit. Plum and Breanna Stewart sit at +6000, while Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally trail at +7500.
Right now, this is Collier’s race to lose.
Clark’s Absence Highlights Her Value
Even off the court, Clark is shaping the league. Ticket prices for road games dropped over 70% after news of her injury. That tells you everything about her drawing power. She’s been responsible for 26.5% of all WNBA revenue this year according to NBC News. That’s massive.
Still, while Clark’s star continues to rise, Collier’s consistency and two-way dominance have made her the top choice for MVP.
Why Napheesa Collier Deserves the MVP Spotlight
Collier is checking every box. She scores, defends, rebounds, and leads. She has the stats, the impact, and now the spotlight. With Clark out, voters and fans are taking a closer look—and they like what they see.
If she keeps this pace, the MVP award may be heading to Minnesota.
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