The 2026 WNBA season is just getting warmed up, but some early award races are already beginning to come into focus. Familiar names currently lead the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year discussions, though much could certainly shift before any hardware is handed out. That said, let’s take a look at where things stand today.
Most Valuable Player
A’ja Wilson (+100)
It should come as no surprise that Wilson sits atop the MVP race.
The Aces superstar has spent the better part of the past decade building one of the most decorated résumés in league history, winning four of the last six MVP awards and adding a Finals MVP in 2025.
Wilson has picked up right where she left off. Through the opening weeks of the season, she has scored at least 18 points in every game while ranking second in the WNBA in scoring, third in blocks, and first in three-point percentage, albeit on limited volume.
Few players impact the game on both ends of the floor the way Wilson does, and she has wasted little time reminding everyone why she's the player to beat.
Caitlin Clark (+270)
Clark is firmly back in the MVP conversation after her 2025 campaign was cut short following just 13 games because of a persistent groin injury and a subsequent bone bruise.
The Fever star wasted little time making a splash once again, averaging 20 points per game while leading the WNBA in assists.
There is one caveat, however. Clark's playmaking comes with 4.6 turnovers per game, the highest mark in the league.
She is also managing a back injury and has already missed a game this season, but there is still plenty of time to close the gap on Wilson.
Paige Bueckers (+1000)
It became apparent quickly that Bueckers would be the focal point of Dallas' offense. The reigning Rookie of the Year has delivered as expected in her sophomore campaign, averaging 19 points per game while pairing her scoring with strong playmaking.
Just as importantly, Bueckers takes care of the basketball. Her low turnover rate helps make her one of the league's most efficient offensive players.
She currently trails Wilson and Clark, but if this level of production stays, watch out for a quick climb up this list.
Rookie of the Year
Olivia Miles (-185)
Miles has separated herself from the pack through the opening weeks of the season.
With Napheesa Collier sidelined for an extended period, the young guard has stepped into an even larger role for Minnesota and continues to produce.
Her all-around game has been especially impressive. Miles is averaging 15 points per game while ranking ninth in the WNBA in assists, a combination few rookies can match.
The three-point shot remains a work in progress, but she touches the game in so many other ways that it has hardly mattered. Her versatility and playmaking have been key factors in Minnesota's nice start.
Azzi Fudd (+350)
Fudd is the second piece of Dallas' dynamic backcourt alongside reigning ROY Bueckers.
One of the league's best perimeter shooters, Fudd complements Bueckers' playmaking ability perfectly and currently owns one of the top three-point percentages in the WNBA.
The season didn't begin smoothly. A right knee injury and some early inconsistency slowed her momentum, but she appears to have turned a corner with consecutive 20-point performances.
She trails Miles for now, but a sustained scoring surge could change the conversation.
Flau’jae Johnson (+800)
Johnson, much like Miles, is a guard who can get it done on both sides of the court.
While Seattle is mired near the bottom of the championship odds board, the young guard has still produced, averaging 11 points per game while ranking among the league leaders in blocks. Her four-block performance against Indiana offered another glimpse of her defensive upside.
The transition to the WNBA hasn't been straightforward. After being drafted by Golden State and immediately dealt, Johnson entered a new situation almost immediately.
Even so, she has developed smoothly and carved out a meaningful role. If her offensive game keeps progressing, she could ascend quickly as the season unfolds.
Defensive Player of the Year
A’ja Wilson (+155)
After sharing the award with Alanna Smith in 2025, the first co-winners in league history, Wilson has wasted little time establishing herself as the favorite in 2026.
Her defensive impact remains unmatched. The Aces’ star continues to dominate the glass, averaging roughly eight defensive rebounds per game, while also ranking among the league leaders in blocks, including multiple four-block performances.
The race is far from over, but Wilson has set the standard and remains the player everyone else is chasing.
Gabby Williams (+470)
Williams has built a reputation as a lockdown defender, and her early-season play has reinforced that standing.
Her credentials are extensive. Williams earned NCAA Division I Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2017, landed on the All-Defensive First Team in 2025, and led the league in steals last season.
That disruptive style has carried into 2026. She currently ranks sixth in steals per game at 1.9 while posting one of the best plus-minus marks in the WNBA.
The season began somewhat quietly, but with more than 30 games remaining, Williams will be in contention throughout.
Angel Reese (+750)
Despite leading the WNBA in rebounding and earning back-to-back All-Star selections in 2024 and 2025, Reese has yet to capture a major defensive award at the professional level. That could change this season.
She consistently makes her presence felt around the basket, ranking second in the league in rebounds while also averaging a steal and a block per game. That production becomes even more impressive given the heavy workload she carries.
There are still areas of her game that can improve, but few players impact as many possessions defensively as Reese. If Atlanta continues to win and her defensive numbers stay strong, she’ll be in consideration at the end.
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