2026 WNBA season predictions: Who wins MVP and the championship?

We're not really sure why, but Clark seems somewhat underrated coming into the 2026 WNBA season. Perhaps the astounding highlights from her 2024 rookie campaign have faded a bit in the league's collective memory, but the way teams guard Clark 94 feet up the court hasn't. Outside of Las Vegas Aces superstar A'ja Wilson, she's still the most dangerous player in the WNBA with the ball in her hands, full-stop. She's capable of completely changing the trajectory of a game when she's on a heater. A healthy Clark playing more off the ball should unlock even more of her scoring ability; getting her off the point will force teams to adjust in how they plan on slowing her down. No player will benefit more from the WNBA's desire to create more "freedom of movement" in the offensive flow of the game than Clark, too. If she's given the cushion by the refs to really cook, she's going to be unstoppable during her third WNBA season if all goes right. Staying healthy will be key, but isn't it always for any player?

You never want to dismiss how great Wilson is and how much of a perennial contender she is for MVP, but Clark grabbing headlines and eyeballs again with her logo 3-pointers and devastating cross-ups will remind everyone that she's the engine that drives this new era of WNBA basketball. MVP is always subjective, and the hot hand can do a lot to garner the attention necessary to get votes. Dallas Wings superstar guard Paige Bueckers is great, and she's poised for a big leap and real MVP consideration. However, when the Clark Show is on, it's just hard to turn it off.

Coach of the Year: Jose Fernandez, Dallas Wings

May 3, 2026; Austin, TX, USA; Dallas Wings head coach Jose Fernandez argues a call with an official during the first half against the Las Vegas Aces at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

The Wings will be the breakout team in the WNBA this season, with Fernandez following in Atlanta Dream coach Karl Smesko's footsteps of achieving quick W success after coaching at the collegiate level. With Dallas set to play at a much faster clip than in 2025, opposing teams will likely struggle at first to acclimate to the team's fresh pacing. Once teams get comfortable with scouting this style of play, we'll guess that the team's overall talent will take the wheel and amplify the work Fernandez has done to overhaul the system and better position Dallas' quality roster.

Defensive Player of the Year: Las Vegas Aces C A'ja Wilson

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 02: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever is guarded by A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces in the first quarter of their game at T-Mobile Arena on July 02, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776136566 ORIG FILE ID: 2160366438

Wilson is just too good not to predict yet again as the WNBA's best defensive player. While she shared top honors last season with Alanna Smith, we're guessing that Wilson will win it outright this season. Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier missing some of 2026 with injuries should catapult Wilson as the clear favorite to win again.

Rookie of the Year: Washington Mystics C Lauren Betts

Apr 13, 2026; New York, NY, USA; WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (right) poses for photos with Lauren Betts who was selected fourth overall by the Washington Mystics during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

We've got the Mystics on the outside looking in for our 2026 WNBA playoff predictions, but we also think fourth-overall 2026 WNBA Draft pick Lauren Betts will be a big reason as to why Washington knocks at the door. She was arguably the best rookie in preseason, averaging 15 points and 4.5 boards in two contests. We imagine she's going to push for a spot in the starting lineup sooner than later, too. While guards like Dallas Wings' Azzi Fudd and Minnesota Lynx' Olivia Miles might get more playing time at first, we think Betts will push in the end for the award.

Sixth Player of the Year: Dallas Wings G Aziaha James

Apr 30, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Dallas Wings guard Aziaha James (10) dribbles the ball while Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) defends in the first half at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

James seems like a perfect fit in the high-tempo offense that Jose Fernandez wants to run in Dallas. Her monster preseason (17.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.5 apg) suggests that she might be the biggest benefactor for what Fernandez brings to the table as Dallas' next head coach. If the Wings take flight this season, we're guessing James taking valuable bench minutes and keeping the gas pressed on offense will skyrocket her into Sixth Player of the Year contention.

Most Improved Player: Seattle Storm C Dominique Malonga

Apr 25, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga (14) shoots a free throw during a game against the Golden State Valkyries in the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

You could see in glimpses last season why Seattle selected Dominique Malonga so high in the 2025 WNBA Draft. She has the potential to be a double-double machine and absolute menace in the paint at the next level. We're going to guess her sophomore campaign is a substantial improvement over her rookie campaign now that she's the primary offensive focus of Seattle's roster. With veteran guard Natisha Hiedeman running point, we're eager to see the ways that the Storm get Malonga going under the basket and in the mid-range game. Malonga feels poised for a breakout campaign in 2026; we're going to predict her as our Most Improved Player until we see otherwise.

Commissioner's Cup winner: Las Vegas Aces

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 10: A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces holds up the championship trophy after winning Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Las Vegas Aces defeat the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 to win the championship. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

We're not going to predict the Aces as our WNBA title winners, which means we'll pencil them in as Commissioner's Cup victors this summer. We feel like Vegas will have an inverse of their 2025 season; the team will get started out on a hot streak before tapering off as the season goes on and other contenders emerge. However, we like the Aces maintaining a strong June in Commissioner's Cup play and hoisting the mid-season trophy as its 2026 achievement.

All-WNBA First Team

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 03: A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after making a basket against the Phoenix Mercury in the fourth quarter of Game One of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 03, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)

• Las Vegas Aces C A'ja Wilson
• Indiana Fever G Caitlin Clark (MVP)
• Dallas Wings G Paige Bueckers
• New York Liberty F Breanna Stewart
• Phoenix Mercury F Alyssa Thomas

All-WNBA Second Team

Allisha Gray won the 2024 3-point contest.

• Seattle Storm C Dominique Malonga
• Atlanta Dream G Allisha Gray
• Las Vegas Aces G Jackie Young
• Minnesota Lynx F Napheesa Collier
• Indiana Fever F Aliyah Boston

Playoff predictions

Playoff standings

1. New York Liberty
2. Indiana Fever
3. Las Vegas Aces
4. Atlanta Dream
5. Dallas Wings
6. Los Angeles Sparks
7. Phoenix Mercury
8. Minnesota Lynx

First round

• Liberty (1) over Lynx (8) (2-0)
• Fever (2) over Mercury (7) (2-1)
• Aces (3) over Sparks (6) (2-0)
• Dream (4) over Wings (5) (2-1)

Second round

• Liberty over Dream (3-1)
• Fever over Aces (3-2)

Finals prediction: Liberty over Fever in 6 games

We'll guess that the super-team Liberty and the battle-tested Fever make it to the Finals, with Indiana gassed from its 2025 semis revenge bout with Las Vegas. Satou Sabally will make the key difference here, as New York just has too much firepower at the top of its roster to lose a series against a likely exhausted Fever team. One seed makes all the difference, as New York's path here is just clearer for a title than Indiana's. The Liberty win a second WNBA title in three seasons, cementing this group as a dynasty. The Fever will be back, though, and hungrier than ever in 2027.

Finals MVP: Liberty G Sabrina Ionescu

We'll bet that Ionescu shakes off an early foot ailment this season and eventually makes the big shots required to earn a Finals MVP honor by the fall.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 2026 WNBA season predictions: Who wins MVP and the championship?