2026 WNBA Awards Odds Watch & Rankings: Malonga Moves Up in Most Improved Race

The WNBA playoff picture is beginning to take shape as the regular season enters its final quarter. Minnesota has become the first team to clinch a playoff berth, while Seattle is the first team eliminated. The individual award races are also shifting. Natasha Howard enters the Defensive Player of the Year rankings for the first time, and second-year Seattle center Dominique Malonga moves into the Most Improved Player race. Olivia Miles remains the undisputed leader for Rookie of the Year and is still part of the MVP rankings.

This is the 12th installment of a weekly awards watch that will run through the regular season. The rankings are based on current player production, team performance, league context, current standings and the latest power rankings from the WNBA and ESPN. Statistics and records include games played through Aug. 10.

2026 WNBA MVP Power Rankings

1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

Wilson remains the MVP leader with a league-best 26.3 points per game. She is also averaging 9.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals while shooting 52.3% from the field and 42.9% from three. The four-time MVP and three-time Defensive Player of the Year is attempting to add to one of the most decorated individual résumés in league history. Winning both awards this season would give Wilson her third MVP-DPOY double. Las Vegas is 22-11 and third in the standings. The Aces dropped two games over the weekend, although Wilson and several other starters were held out of Sunday’s loss to New York on the second night of a back-to-back. Las Vegas is second in ESPN’s power rankings and fourth in the WNBA rankings.

2. Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx

Miles stays second after recording 20 points and a career-high 13 assists in Minnesota’s victory over Dallas on Monday. She became the third rookie in WNBA history with multiple games of at least 15 points and 10 assists. With a third consecutive Rookie of the Month honor under her belt, she is averaging 20.0 points, 6.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals while shooting 50.3% from the field and 40.3% from three. Her scoring average ranks eighth in the league, while she is fourth in assists. Minnesota is 27-7, has won 12 of its past 13 games and is first in the standings and both sets of power rankings.

3. Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever

Mitchell remains third after extending her streak of games with at least 20 points to 16. That is the longest single-season streak in WNBA history, surpassing Wilson’s 15-game run in 2024. Mitchell ranks second in the league with 24.2 points per game. She is shooting 50.4% from the field and 43.5% from three-point range while averaging 2.9 three-pointers per game. Indiana is 20-12 and leads the WNBA with 95.9 points per game. The Fever are third in ESPN’s power rankings and fifth in the league rankings. Mitchell’s record streak has strengthened her case, but Miles retains the advantage because of her playmaking and Minnesota’s position atop the standings. Caitlin Clark remains just outside the top three. She is averaging 21.6 points and 8.1 assists and recently recorded her sixth game this season with at least 25 points and 10 assists, a WNBA single-season record.

2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Power Rankings

1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

Wilson stays first as she pursues her fourth Defensive Player of the Year award. She leads the league with 2.0 blocks per game, ranks third with 9.7 rebounds and adds 1.5 steals. Las Vegas leads the WNBA with 5.0 blocks per game. Wilson’s combination of rim protection, rebounding and defensive versatility gives her the strongest individual DPOY case.

2. Gabby Williams, Golden State Valkyries

Williams stays in second place in her role as the leading perimeter defender for the WNBA’s top-rated defense. Golden State allows a league-low 77.1 points per game with Williams averaging 1.6 steals. The Valkyries also rank fourth in steals and have held opponents to nearly six fewer points per game than every team except Washington. Golden State is 23-9, second place in the standings, and has won four consecutive games. 

3. Natasha Howard, Minnesota Lynx

Howard replaces Rhyne Howard in the third spot. The 2019 Defensive Player of the Year is averaging 1.8 steals and 7.6 rebounds per contest. Minnesota is tied at first in the league with 9.1 steals per game, tied for third with 4.6 blocks, and ranks third in scoring defense at 83.8 points allowed. Howard’s ability to defend across the frontcourt, rebound and force turnovers has been central to the Lynx’s success.

Rhyne Howard still leads the league with 2.4 steals per game and remains a strong candidate, but Natasha Howard gets the edge this week because of Minnesota’s stronger defensive and team performance.

2026 WNBA Most Improved Player Power Rankings

1. Jessica Shepard, Dallas Wings

Shepard remains first despite suffering a right knee injury during Sunday’s loss to Minnesota. She left in the first quarter and did not return, creating uncertainty about her availability, and is listed as out ahead of a home game against Toronto on Wednesday, the first time she will miss a game all season. Through 33 games, Shepard is averaging 14.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists while shooting 58.6% from the field. She ranks second in the league in rebounding and has recorded 20 double-doubles and a league-high four triple-doubles. Shepard averaged 8.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists last season. She has doubled her assist average and started all 33 of her appearances after making 12 starts in 2025. 

2. Dominique Malonga, Seattle Storm

Malonga enters the rankings at No. 2 after making one of the league’s largest statistical jumps. The second-year center is averaging 17.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 blocks while shooting 50.7% from the field. She has started 25 of her 26 appearances and recorded 10 double-doubles. As a rookie, Malonga averaged 7.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 14.3 minutes without making a start. Her playing time has increased to 26.3 minutes. Seattle’s 7-28 record and elimination from playoff contention limit Malonga’s case against Shepard. Her individual improvement, however, is too significant to leave outside the top three.

3. Carla Leite, Portland Fire

Leite stays third after increasing her scoring average from 7.2 points last season to 15.5. She is also averaging 6.2 assists, up from 2.0 in 2025. Leite is shooting 44.4% from the field and 36.9% from three after shooting 38.7% overall and 17.3% from beyond the arc last season. She has started 29 of her 30 appearances after making six starts for Golden State in 2025. Portland’s dismal 13-19 record works against her, but her growth as a scorer, shooter and playmaker keeps her in the rankings.

2026 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year Power Rankings

1. Janelle Salaün, Golden State Valkyries

Salaün remains first with the best scoring production among the ranked reserves. She has appeared in all 32 of Golden State’s games without making a start. Salaün is averaging 13.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 22.3 minutes. She makes 2.5 three-pointers per game while shooting 42.6% from the field and 39.8% from three. Her scoring, performance off the bench, and contribution to a 23-9 team keep her comfortably ahead of the field.

2. Sophie Cunningham, Indiana Fever

Cunningham stays second after coming off the bench in 28 of her 31 appearances. She is averaging 8.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 23.0 minutes. Cunningham is shooting 47.4% from the field and 44.1% from three, giving the league’s highest-scoring team an efficient perimeter option off the bench. Salaün holds a clear advantage in scoring volume, but Cunningham’s shooting and consistent reserve role keep her second.

3. Jewell Loyd, Las Vegas Aces

Loyd retains the third spot. She has appeared in 31 games with three starts, averaging 8.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 27.2 minutes. Her shooting percentages remain below those of Salaün and Cunningham, but Loyd plays the largest minutes load among the three. Her scoring, defense, and strong supporting role for a 22-11 Las Vegas team give her the edge for the final spot.

Photo Credit: REUTERS