The 2026 WNBA regular season nears its conclusion with just four games remaining for each team before the playoffs begin on September 27. Eight teams have already secured postseason berths: the Minnesota Lynx, Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, Indiana Fever, New York Liberty, Washington Mystics, and Dallas Wings. While playoff spots are confirmed, seeding remains unsettled, intensifying competition in the final stretch of the regular season.

Among individual honors, Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson is widely expected to capture her fifth WNBA Most Valuable Player award and third consecutive MVP title. Wilson, who is managing a back injury that led to her withdrawal from the FIBA Women’s World Cup, leads the league in scoring at 26 points per game and also ranks first in blocks with two per contest. Her stellar performance has propelled the Aces to third place in league standings. Notably, Wilson has dominated the Western Conference Player of the Month awards this season, securing each monthly honor—a feat she previously achieved during her first MVP season in 2020. Other players receiving MVP consideration include Minnesota guard Olivia Miles and Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell.

The Defensive Player of the Year race spotlights Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese, who is averaging a double-double with 16.1 points and 12.4 rebounds per game, alongside 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals. Reese leads the league in rebounds, offensive rebounds, total rebounds, and double-doubles, setting a WNBA single-season record with 29 double-doubles through 39 games. She also holds the record for the fastest player to reach 1,000 career rebounds, accomplishing the feat in just 79 games, surpassing Tina Charles. Reese’s rebounding dominance includes a single-game WNBA record of 26 rebounds and a new single-season rebound record with 458 total boards. Other candidates for the honor include Atlanta guard Rhyne Howard and Golden State forward Gabby Williams.

Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles is the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, living up to her status as the No. 2 overall draft pick. Miles debuted with a 21-point, eight-assist game and has remained consistently productive throughout the season. She currently averages 19.7 points, 6.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game, placing her among the league’s top performers in multiple statistical categories. Miles ranks second all-time among rookies in both assists and points for a single season and shares the rookie record for most 20-point games with Lynx legend Seimone Augustus. Other rookies receiving votes include Seattle’s Awa Fam and Chicago’s Sydney Taylor.

The Most Improved Player award is likely headed to Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard, who has thrived after signing with the Wings in free agency following five seasons with Minnesota. Shepard has posted career highs with 14.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game, along with 4.9 assists and nearly 32 minutes per contest. She recorded four triple-doubles this season and earned her first All-Star Game start.

Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün is the top candidate for Sixth Player of the Year, coming off the bench to average a career-best 12.9 points. Salaün has contributed to the league’s highest-scoring bench unit and set a WNBA single-season record with 492 points scored as a reserve. She is closing in on a historic milestone with 92 three-pointers made off the bench, aiming to become the first player to reach 100 in a season.

Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve is favored to win Coach of the Year after guiding the team to the top of the standings despite early-season injuries to key player Napheesa Collier. The Lynx have posted a .775 winning percentage, ranking among the best in franchise history, while ranking second in scoring and third in points allowed. The team’s success is credited in large part to Reeve’s leadership and the emergence of rookie standout Olivia Miles, alongside contributions from veterans Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams.

The All-WNBA First Team projections include A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart of New York Liberty, Kelsey Mitchell, and Indiana Fever guards Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, as well as Minnesota’s Miles honored on the All-Rookie Team alongside Seattle’s Azzi Fudd, Chicago’s Sydney Taylor, and others.

As the regular season closes, award races underscore the high level of talent shaping the 2026 WNBA landscape entering the playoffs.