Lynx's Collier named Defensive Player of the Year
Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier won the WNBA's 2024 Defensive Player of the Year award, the league announced Sunday.
Collier held off Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson, who won the award the previous two seasons.
| Player | Team | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Napheesa Collier | Minnesota Lynx | 36 |
| A'ja Wilson | Las Vegas Aces | 26 |
| Ezi Magbegor | Seattle Storm | 3 |
| DiJonai Carrington | Connecticut Sun | 1 |
| Courtney Williams | Minnesota Lynx | 1 |
Collier adds a first Defensive Player of the Year honor to a list of accolades that also includes a 2019 Rookie of the Year award, four All-Star nominations, and two All-Defensive team nods. Collier also came second in 2024 MVP voting, losing to Wilson.
The 6-foot-1 Connecticut product averaged 20.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, and a career-best 1.4 blocks in 2024.
Collier led Minnesota to a 30-10 record and the No. 2 seed in the postseason. With Collier as the anchor, the Lynx had the league's second-best defensive rating. Minnesota also forced opponents to shoot a league-low 41% from the field.
The Lynx cruised through their opening-round playoff series, sweeping the Phoenix Mercury 2-0. They'll take on the Connecticut Sun in the semifinals, which is scheduled to begin Sunday.