A'ja Wilson Secures Fifth MVP as 2026 WNBA Awards Finalize

Key points

• A'ja Wilson leads the league in points per game (26.1) and is projected to win her fifth MVP award, despite a back injury.
• Olivia Miles is the unanimous pick for Rookie of the Year, having set the WNBA rookie scoring record and led the Minnesota Lynx to the top seed.
• Angel Reese is the leading candidate for Defensive Player of the Year after a strong season with the Atlanta Dream, though some analysts favor Shakira Austin.
• Janelle Salaün is the consensus choice for Sixth Player of the Year, averaging 12.9 points as a bench player for the Golden State Valkyries.
• Natalie Nakase is favored for Coach of the Year, with Sydney Johnson and Cheryl Reeve as strong alternatives.

Background

The 2026 WNBA season concluded on September 24, with the playoffs set to begin on September 27. A'ja Wilson has previously won four MVP awards, and the 2023 MVP race was notably close, with Wilson finishing third. The league has seen significant parity, with eight teams qualifying for the playoffs: Minnesota, Golden State, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Indiana, New York, Washington, and Dallas.

How outlets are covering it

High Post Hoops, Sports Illustrated, and CBS Sports all agree that A'ja Wilson is the MVP favorite, though High Post Hoops notes that Olivia Miles deserves consideration for being the top player on the top team. Sports Illustrated highlights that the MVP race is closer than it appears, with Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell also having strong cases. High Post Hoops and Sports Illustrated agree that Olivia Miles is the clear Rookie of the Year, while High Post Hoops notes that Azzi Fudd, Sydney Taylor, and Kiki Rice are also strong candidates. For Defensive Player of the Year, High Post Hoops is split between Shakira Austin and Angel Reese, while Sports Illustrated and SB Nation favor Reese. High Post Hoops and Sports Illustrated agree that Janelle Salaün is the Sixth Player of the Year. For Coach of the Year, High Post Hoops favors Sydney Johnson, while Sports Illustrated and SB Nation favor Natalie Nakase. SB Nation's Noa Dalzell argues that Carla Leite is the Most Improved Player, while High Post Hoops and Sports Illustrated favor Shakira Austin.

Why it matters

The 2026 WNBA awards highlight the league's depth and parity, with multiple players and teams competing for top honors. A'ja Wilson's potential fifth MVP award would solidify her status as one of the greatest players in WNBA history, while Olivia Miles' Rookie of the Year award marks a new era for the Minnesota Lynx. The awards also reflect the impact of expansion teams like the Golden State Valkyries and the Portland Fire, as well as the resurgence of veterans like Angel Reese and Shakira Austin.

What to watch

The WNBA playoffs are set to begin on September 27, with the top eight teams competing for the championship. A'ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces will look to defend their title, while Olivia Miles and the Minnesota Lynx will aim to capitalize on their top seed. The awards ceremony will likely take place in the coming weeks, with the official winners announced after the regular season concludes.