With Phee Out, Is the MVP Race Wide Open?

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What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today

1. Napheesa Collier Out at Least Two Weeks 🩼

The Lynx confirmed Monday that star forward Napheesa Collier has a right ankle sprain and will miss at least the next two weeks. She’ll be re-evaluated after that. The injury happened during Saturday’s blowout win over the Aces. (Minnesota Lynx)

WHY IT MATTERS: Collier is not only the leading league MVP candidate this season, averaging 23.5 points per game, she is also the focal point of the number one ranked Lynx. Minnesota still has the depth to contend, but their title hopes become a little murky without a healthy Collier.

Her chances of earning the MVP award also comes into question. Despite stellar play throughout the season, missing time opens the opportunity to other top performers this season, such as Alyssa Thomas and Sabrina Ionescu.

2. A’ja Wilson Headed to South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame 🐔

Add another honor to the list. Three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson will be inducted into the University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 class. (University of South Carolina)

WHY IT MATTERS: Before dominating in the WNBA, Wilson helped transform South Carolina into a national powerhouse alongside coach Dawn Staley. She was a four-time All-American, won National Player the Year in 2018, and led the Gamecocks to their first National Championship in 2017. Her induction ceremony will take place Thursday, October 23.

3. March Madness Will Not Expand … Yet 👀

The NCAA announced Monday that the men’s and women’s March Madness tournaments will not expand for 2026. Each tournament will remain at 68 teams for now, though expansion is still under consideration for 2027. (The Athletic)

WHY IT MATTERS: Talk of tournament expansion started in 2023, and picked up steam over the past year. More teams means more opportunities and more revenue. Teams who make the NCAA postseason tournament earn money, so conference commissioner’s like the added revenue opportunity that comes with a pool of 72 or 76 teams.

But fan reaction has been mixed. Critics argue that expansion waters down the competition, while others point to financial incentives and visibility for mid-majors. For now, 68 remains the number, but that could change soon.