The 2026 WNBA season has entered its final third, with several standout players and teams positioning themselves strongly ahead of the playoffs. The Minnesota Lynx currently hold the top spot in the league standings, propelled by rookie guard Olivia Miles, who continues to make history in her inaugural season. Miles became the first player in WNBA history to accumulate 400 points, 100 rebounds, and 100 assists within her first 22 games, establishing herself as a frontrunner for both Rookie of the Year and MVP honors.
Miles, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, leads all rookies in points (19.3 per game), field goals made (6.8), and assists (6.0). She has scored in double figures during all 26 games of her professional career, including a season-high 33-point performance against Phoenix. Recognized for her immediate impact, Miles was the only rookie selected as a starter in this year’s All-Star Game. Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve praised Miles for shouldering a significant portion of the team’s success, calling her performance “impressive.”
Despite Miles’ breakout season, Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson remains the leading candidate for the league MVP award. A four-time MVP and two-time recipient of Defensive Player of the Year, Wilson is maintaining a high level of dominance in her ninth WNBA season. She is averaging a league-leading 26.1 points per game, nearly doubling her career averages, and posting 9.5 rebounds per game, which ranks fourth among league leaders. Wilson has scored at least 10 points in every start and has recorded 12 double-doubles, including a standout 45-point game against the Connecticut Sun in May. Her high usage rate and contribution to nearly a third of the Aces’ made field goals highlight her critical role as the team chases another championship run with an 18-8 record.
Wilson is also a strong contender for Defensive Player of the Year, leading the league in blocks (2.0 per game) and ranking fifth in rebounds. She has anchored the Aces' defense, contributing to a 103.8 defensive rating in their last five games. Former South Carolina coach Dawn Staley predicted Wilson could become the first player in WNBA history to win five MVP awards, citing her consistent year-over-year improvement.
Several other players are in the mix for individual awards. Dallas Wings’ Jessica Shepard is poised to claim Most Improved Player after achieving career highs in scoring (14.9 ppg), assists (5.4), and rebounds (12 per game), ranking first in the league for boards. Shepard also earned her first All-Star selection this season. Golden State Valkyries’ Janelle Salaün leads the Sixth Player of the Year conversation, providing a critical scoring spark off the bench with 12.5 points per game and career-best shooting percentages.
Coach Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx is the frontrunner for Coach of the Year. Under her leadership, the Lynx have overcome significant preseason doubts caused by injuries and key player departures to claim the league’s best record. Reeve, the all-time winningest coach in WNBA history with four Coach of the Year awards, has guided Minnesota to an effective balance of strong defense and high-powered offense, particularly through the development of Miles.
As the regular season progresses, attention will turn toward how these players and teams perform in the postseason, with Wilson’s Aces and Reeve’s Lynx among the favorites to contend for the championship.