2026 WNBA Awards Odds Watch & Rankings: Stewart Enters MVP Race
The WNBA season has transitioned into its next high-stakes phase with the arrival of the Commissioner’s Cup, the league’s annual in-season competition, which culminates at the end of the month. However, A’ja Wilson and Olivia Miles still hold a tight grip on the league’s most popular awards as their teams fight for position in the cup race.
This is the third installment of a weekly awards watch that will run through the regular season. The rankings are based on current player production, team performance and league context, using WNBA.com and ESPN power rankings, the latest statistical leaders, and current injury reports.
2026 WNBA MVP Power Rankings
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Wilson keeps the top spot because her two-way case remains the most complete in the league. She leads the WNBA in scoring at 25.9 points per game while also averaging 9.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and a league-best 2.4 blocks. That combination still separates her from every other MVP candidate.
The Aces hold the No. 4 spot in this week’s WNBA.com power rankings and are third on ESPN’s list. Las Vegas (8-3) has won four straight games with Wilson’s talent on display, especially during a 34-point, 12-rebound, nine-assist performance against the Seattle Storm when she became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 6,000 career points, topping retired legend Diana Taurasi.
2. Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty
Stewart moves into the No. 2 spot after a stellar week that saw her earn the league’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week honor. Last week, her stat sheet was outstanding with 24.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. The Liberty have won five straight after a rough late-May stretch with Stewart as the constant, with Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones still out due to injury. Overall, Stewart is averaging 20.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per outing.
3. Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx
Dynamic rookie Miles enters the MVP discussion by virtue of being a key piece on the league’s best team. The Lynx own a 9-2 overall record and are on a seven-game winning streak. Miles is the current Western Conference Player of the Week.
Minnesota captured the unanimous No. 1 spot in both WNBA.com and ESPN’s power rankings. Miles, who is averaging 17.2 points and a rookie-best 6.4 assists per game, verified her superstar trajectory by hitting an unprecedented eight 3-pointers against the Golden State Valkyries last Thursday, setting an all-time WNBA rookie record, passing Caitlin Clark.
2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Power Rankings
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Wilson pulls double duty again as the frontrunner for defensive honors. Her stellar rebounding and league-best 2.4 blocks per game make her position as the DPOY frontrunner a no-brainer. Her ability to stay out of foul trouble gives her another edge over the competition.
2. Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream
Howard stays near the top because her defensive playmaking has been one of the biggest reasons Atlanta (7-3) remains among the league’s better teams. She leads the WNBA at 3.1 steals per game while also averaging 18.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Atlanta is allowing the second-fewest points per game in the league, with the help of Howard’s defensive pressure.
Her teammate Jordin Canada also deserves mention because of her 2.1 steals and 6.7 assists per game, but Howard’s league-leading steals average gives her the edge this week. Atlanta sits at No. 2 on WNBA.com power rankings.
3. Emily Engstler, Portland Fire
Engstler remains in the rankings because her individual defensive production is still strong. She is averaging 2.1 blocks per game, second only to Wilson among the current leaders, and adds 1.3 steals in 23.2 minutes per contest. Portland has dropped three straight games and slipped to 6-7. However. Engstler is still one of the league’s most disruptive frontcourt defenders, and her shot-blocking keeps her among the elite for now.
2026 WNBA Rookie of the Year Power Rankings
1. Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx
The Rookie of the Year race is rapidly transforming into a one-person contest. Miles leads all first-year players in both scoring and assists. Running the point for the No. 1 team in the league gives her a significant lead over her peers. Her efforts led her to being named the WNBA Rookie of the Month for May.
2. Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle Storm
Johnson’s individual tape remains strong as she continues to consistently score in double figures while contributing an impressive 1.2 blocks per game from the guard position. She is also averaging 11.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
However, Seattle’s current team context is weighing down her overall campaign. The Storm have endured a brutal six-game slide, tumbling to 3-10 overall. Seattle drops to No. 14 in both major power rankings, which doesn’t help Johnson’s case to close in on Miles.
Pauline Astier () and Jovana Nogic () are still worth watching. Astier is giving New York efficient guard minutes at 11.3 points and 3.7 assists, while Nogic remains a strong 3-point shooting threat for Phoenix.
2026 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year Power Rankings
1. Chennedy Carter, Las Vegas Aces
Carter moves into the top spot because her scoring production is too strong to ignore. She is averaging 17.5 points in just 20.3 minutes per game while shooting 65.1% from the field and 58.8% from 3-point range. That is elite bench scoring efficiency and comes when Las Vegas is on an upswing. Carter has helped deepen an offense that already features Wilson and starting guard Jackie Young.
2. Azzi Fudd, Dallas Wings
Fudd continues to serve as the definitive bench weapon in the league. As the primary spark plug for the surging, second-ranked Wings, Fudd provides instant perimeter offense without disrupting the starting lineup’s continuity. She is averaging 12.0 points and shooting 41.7% from three-point land, giving the Wings an efficient bench scorer.
3. Janelle Salaün, Golden State Valkyries
Salaün moves onto the board because she has been one of Golden State’s most reliable frontcourt scorers. She is averaging 13.9 points and 3.7 rebounds while shooting 40.0% from 3-point range, giving the Valkyries efficient production from the bench.
Golden State has dropped two straight close games, but the Valkyries remain 6-5 and have shown they can compete with the league’s best teams. Salaün’s scoring and floor spacing put her ahead of several other bench candidates for now.
Photo Credit: AP/Adam Hunger
