"She deserves MVP", "MVPhee": Fans crown Napheesa Collier after Lynx's star continues hot streak with solid game vs Caitlin Clark's Fever

Fans showered Napheesa Collier with praise after another MVP-caliber performance in Minnesota’s victory over Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever on Saturday. She erupted for 31 points and five rebounds in the Lynx’s playoff-clinching win.

Collier has been on a hot streak recently, averaging 25.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 66.2% from the field since the Olympic break. In one of their wins during the Lynx's winning streak, she posted 27 points and a career-high 18 rebounds against the Las Vegas Aces.

After matching her season-high with 31 points on Saturday, fans took to social media to declare her MVP-worthy.

“Demon showing out, she deserve[s] MVP,” tweeted one user.

“MVPhee,” added another fan.

While impressed with Collier's latest performance, one fan noted that the award still seemed to be A’Ja Wilson’s to lose.

“Easily MVP if not for A'ja Wilson,” one fan said.

"MVP" another fan wrote.

"clear cut MVP" one fan said.

Collier is averaging 20.7 points and 10.2 rebounds this season for the 22-8 Lynx, who hold the third-best record in the league at the time of writing.

Wilson, a key player for the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, who hold a 17-11 record (fifth in the league), is averaging 26.8 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 52.3% from the field, 38.1% from three and 87.1% from the free-throw line.

Here are other reactions to Collier’s performance:

Fans shower Napheesa Collier with praise after recent showing

Napheesa Collier has a real case for MVP

Napheesa Collier has been exceptional for the Minnesota Lynx this season, despite missing games due to aggravated plantar fasciitis in her left foot, which sidelined her last month.

Injury aside, Collier has been outstanding, scoring in double digits in every game except one—a nine-point performance against the Connecticut Sun on July 4, where she had to leave the game due to her injury.

Although she has never finished in the top three for MVP voting before, this season she is firmly in the conversation. As the best player on a top-three team, she continues to improve as the season progresses.

Napheesa Collier significantly boosts the Lynx’s performance. The team’s offensive rating drops from 107.4 with her on the court to 100.8 without her, showing a 6.6-point difference. The team’s block percentage also rises from 6.9 to 10.7 when she plays.

Her statistics might not surpass those of A'Ja Wilson, who is achieving career highs in points, rebounds, steals, blocks and a career low in turnovers, but considering team success, Collier certainly deserves to be in the MVP discussion.