Dallas – With Napheesa Collier sprained his right ankle for the foreseeable future, this year's MVP conversations have become even more interesting – Sabrina Ionescu is a dark horse in the race.
Sandy Brondello, who ran for Ionescu ahead of Friday's 88-77 win over the Dallas Wings, said the four-time All-Stars should be “just there” on the roster.
But becoming Ionescu's MVP will be more of a byproduct of her true goal this season, bringing freedom into the second consecutive WNBA title.
“It's the top of everything,” Ionescu told The Post. “Obviously, I know when I play like an MVP, we always have a big chance of winning, like when I go out and do all the things I do, because for me it's not just score. It's my ability to get assists, get rebounds, do everything.
Freedom injury this season. They played only two games and there was no huge game between Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart.
Sabrina Ionescu calls for a match in a free match against the Wings on August 8, 2025. Getty Images
But Ionescu had 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists on Friday, and he was a free night of the night.
Ionescu missed only one game this season due to a kink around his neck. The closest people influenced her game on that road trip, but beyond that, she continued to carry her freedom, and despite all the adversity this season, they remained second in the league rankings.
Ionescu ranked fifth in the league in scoring matches, with an average of a career-high 20 points per game. She ranked sixth in rebounds (4.9), eighth in assists (5.5), and averaged the 11th minute in the league.
Minnesota star and top MVP contender Napheesa Collier advances in a match against the Mystic on August 8, 2025. NBAE by Getty Images
She was named the player of the month in July and has been crying since the All-Star Game.
However, these numbers tell only part of the story, and the influence of Ionescu is not always quantified in the box score.
Ionescu has gravitational attraction and can destroy defense. Her goal-sports can open up opportunities for teammates.
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She can push the ball through a transition or throw a 40-foot heavy seat, which she puts perfectly among her teammates in front of her.
Ionescu also improved as a defender. Some of that is because she entered at her best this season.
“We were impressed by what we needed throughout the season,” Blundlow said. “Obviously we knew she could score. [MVP] conversation. ”
On August 8, 2025, Sabrina Ionescu drove against Diamond Miller in a free road race. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
There is no MVP award that requires the least number of games like the NBA, although some voters believe players should play in about 75% to 80% of the regular season in order to be considered eligible. This year, that means 33 to 35 games.
Collier, who has played 26 games, is expected to miss at least two weeks, but it may last longer. Alyssa Thomas, who participated in 25 games, is also worth participating in the MVP conversation.
A'ja Wilson's case about her fourth MVP was damaged by the tough performance of Aces this season.
Ionescu had the chance to improve her MVP stock in the remaining 14 games in the regular season, which wasn't something she was worried about.
“[I] “Just trying to focus on what I can control is obviously the best thing I can get for this team,” Ionescu said. “But obviously I would say that what I'm most proud of is that I've been able to keep getting better every year in many different ways and on both sides of the ball, and I'm not really happy with my year, but I haven't kept trying and more. It's a thing, it's hard to do, and what I've been doing throughout my career continues to get better. So, I know I haven't even really scratched the surface of the player, which is what I'm saying and done. So, just trying to keep on holding my own standards and doing everything the team needs me to win.”