2026 WNBA Awards Odds Watch & Rankings: Wilson Still Leads As Dream Shake Up Race

The WNBA awards races are tightening as the league moves deeper into the regular season and the Commissioner’s Cup final approaches. A’ja Wilson still has the strongest two-way case in the league, but the Atlanta Dream’s rise to the top of ESPN’s power rankings has pushed Angel Reese into the awards conversations.

This is the fifth 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 statistical case remains the absolute best in the league. She leads the WNBA in scoring at 25.7 points per game, ranks among the league’s top rebounders at 9.1 per game and remains the league’s top shot blocker at 2.2 blocks per contest. She is also shooting 52.7% from the field and 45.9% from three, giving her a rare blend of efficiency, volume and defensive impact.

The team context still helps. Las Vegas is 12-4 and back near the top of the league after stabilizing in the aftermath of a blowout loss to Dallas. 

2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

Clark stays in the MVP conversation because of her offensive profile. She is averaging 21.3 points and 8.2 assists per game, ranking third in the league in scoring and second in assists. She has also put together a stretch of a WNBA-record six consecutive games of at least 20 points and five assists.

Indiana’s team context is not as strong as Wilson’s in Las Vegas, but Clark’s individual case is too productive to ignore. The Fever are 10-7 and in seventh place in the league’s power rankings and No. 8 on ESPN’s list.

3. Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream

Howard moves into the top three because Atlanta’s surge has changed the awards board. The Dream are 12-4, have won four straight and moved to No. 1 in ESPN’s power rankings after a chaotic week across the league.

Howard is averaging 19.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and a league-best 2.7 steals per game. She also ranks near the top of the league in made threes. Her two-way production matters more now because Atlanta’s team profile has caught up to her individual case. Howard’s combination of scoring, defense and team success gives her the edge for the final spot this week over close contenders.

2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Power Rankings

1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

Wilson remains the Defensive Player of the Year leader because she still has the most complete defensive case. As the league leader in blocks and tied for fourth among the top rebounders, she anchors a Las Vegas team that has re-established itself near the top of the standings. Her defensive prowess, combined with being the league’s best scorer, gives her an advantage over every other candidate.

2. Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream

Howard remains among the elite because she leads the WNBA in steals and has been central to Atlanta’s defensive identity. The franchise leads the league in steals as a team at 9.4 per game and Howard’s pressure is a major part of that. Her case is also helped by Atlanta’s current team standings. The Dream is not just a good defensive team with a disruptive guard. They are now the top team in ESPN’s power rankings, and that makes Howard’s individual production harder to dismiss.

3. Angel Reese, Atlanta Dream

Reese moves into the top three because her rebounding dominance is also helping Atlanta’s rise. She leads the league at 11.8 rebounds per game and has already posted 10 double-doubles this season. Her rebounding gives the Dream extra possessions and limits opponents’ second-chance looks Emily Engstler remains close because she is second in the WNBA at 2.0 blocks per game, but with an 8-9 record, Portland’s team context has slipped.

2026 WNBA Rookie of the Year Power Rankings

1. Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx

Miles remains the clear Rookie of the Year leader, hands down. She leads all rookies in scoring at 18.5 points per game while also averaging 4.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.4 steals. Her efficiency is also excellent for a rookie guard, shooting 53.8% from the field and 92.0% from the free-throw line. Minnesota’s team context still gives her separation from the rest of the rookie class. The Lynx remain one of the league’s best teams, and Miles is not producing empty numbers. She is playing major minutes, creating offense and contributing across the box score for a contender.

2. Azzi Fudd, Dallas Wings

Fudd stays at No. 2 because of her scoring efficiency and role on a strong Dallas team. She is averaging 13.6 points per game while shooting 51.1% from the field and 38.4% from three. She also adds 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, giving her a more complete profile than just spot-up shooting. Her latest performance helps. Fudd scored 26 points in Dallas’ overtime win over Seattle.

3. Kiki Rice, Toronto Tempo

Rice holds the final spot because her production remains strong when available. She is averaging 12.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 53.3% from the field and 39.1% from three. That is one of the most efficient offensive profiles in the rookie class. However, Rice has been out with an ankle sprain. If she misses extended time, other rookies will have the chance to move past her.

 2026 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year Power Rankings

1. Janelle Salaün, Golden State Valkyries

Salaün moves into the top spot because of her scoring and three-point volume. She is averaging 13.2 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 38.3% from three. She also ranks third in the league in made threes with 44. That matters because the Valkyries lead the WNBA in made threes as a team. Salaün has been one of the reasons Golden State sits among the top five in both major power rankings.

2. Chennedy Carter, Las Vegas Aces

Carter stays near the top because of her elite efficiency in a reserve role. She is shooting 61.5% from the field, third in the league, and gives Las Vegas a downhill scoring option behind Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray. Carter’s efficiency and winning context with a team heading into the Commissioner’s Cup final keep her at number two.

3. Rae Burrell, Los Angeles Sparks

Burrell moves onto the board after a strong week for Los Angeles. She scored 19 points in the Sparks’ loss to Minnesota and followed it with 19 more in the emotional 98-97 win over New York. That win was one of the league’s biggest moments of the week, with teammate Nneka Ogwumike hitting the buzzer-beating three on the WNBA’s 30th anniversary celebration of the league’s first game. Burrell is averaging 11.6 points per game and gives the Sparks another scoring option behind Kelsey Plum and Ogwumike.

Photo Credit: AP/Bailey Hillesheim