A'ja Wilson has dominated the WNBA MVP race since 2020, winning four MVP awards. The 2026 season is shaping up to be more competitive with rising stars and impactful roster changes.
Key points
A'ja Wilson has won four MVP awards since 2020
The 2026 WNBA season is expected to be more competitive
More star players and rising talent are entering the league
Significant roster changes could impact the MVP race
A'ja WilsonWNBA
The WNBA MVP race has mostly belonged to Aāja Wilson over the last few years.
Since 2020, Wilson has dominated the league. She has won four MVP awards and also picked up two Finals MVP trophies during that stretch. Every season, she enters as the player everyone is trying to beat.
But the 2026 season feels more competitive.
The league now has more star players than ever. Young talent is rising quickly, while experienced veterans continue to perform at a high level. Several teams also made big roster changes during the offseason, which could have a major impact on the MVP race.
A lot of fans will be watching Caitlin Clark closely this year. Injuries affected parts of her second season, but she enters 2026 healthy and ready to lead a stronger Indiana Fever roster. Many believe this could be the season she becomes a serious MVP contender.
The WNBA continues to grow rapidly. Fan interest is rising every season, and the new collective bargaining agreement has brought even more attention to the league.
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10. Allisha Gray, G, Atlanta Dream (+2500)
Allisha Gray, G, Atlanta Dream (+2500)
Allisha Gray had one of the most underrated seasons in the WNBA last year. She finished fourth in MVP voting after helping the Atlanta Dream win 30 games. During the season, she also reached career highs in points, rebounds, and assists, showing how much her overall game has improved.
Gray does not always get the same fame as some of the leagueās bigger stars, but her impact is hard to ignore. She contributes in every area and plays a major role on both ends of the floor. If Atlanta takes another step forward this season, she could become a much bigger part of the MVP conversation.
Rhyne Howard already looks like one of the leagueās future superstars. Defense remains one of her biggest strengths. Last season, she averaged 1.5 steals per game and recorded 27 blocks, which is impressive for a wing player.
Offensively, Howard led the WNBA with 3.1 made three-pointers per game. Her ability to affect games on both sides makes her extremely dangerous. If she becomes a more efficient scorer this season, her numbers could rise even higher. The former No. 1 overall pick clearly has the talent to enter the top tier of MVP candidates.
Kelsey Plum enters the 2026 season as an interesting dark-horse MVP candidate. After winning two championships with the Las Vegas Aces, she joined the Los Angeles Sparks and started expanding her overall game.
Last season, Plum improved her assist and rebounding numbers, proving she can do more than just score. The Sparks also added more talent to the roster this offseason, which could help the team compete for a playoff spot. If Los Angeles surprises people and becomes a strong team, Plumās MVP chances could grow quickly.
7. Alyssa Thomas, F, Phoenix Mercury (+2000)
7. Alyssa Thomas, F, Phoenix Mercury (+2000)
Alyssa Thomas, F, Phoenix Mercury (+2000)
Alyssa Thomas continues to be one of the most complete players in basketball. Last season, she finished third in MVP voting after nearly averaging a triple-double. She put up 15.4 points, 9.2 assists, and 8.8 rebounds per game, which is rare production for any player.
Now with the Phoenix Mercury, Thomas could take on an even bigger role. With Satou Sabally no longer on the roster, there is more responsibility available in the frontcourt. If Thomas handles that larger workload successfully, her MVP numbers could become even stronger this season.
Paige Bueckers made an immediate impact during her rookie season. She won Rookie of the Year and earned second-team All-WNBA honors, which showed how quickly she adjusted to the professional level.
Bueckers already looks comfortable as a scorer, playmaker, and defender. One of the most impressive parts of her game is her calmness under pressure. Many elite guards improve significantly in their second season, and if Bueckers makes that jump, she could become a real MVP contender much sooner than expected.
Sabrina Ionescu has a strong chance to put up huge numbers in 2026. The New York Liberty are entering a new era under first-year coach Chris DeMarco, and that could give Ionescu even more control of the offense.
She already brings elite shooting range and excellent playmaking ability. With one of the leagueās most talented rosters around her, Ionescu could have a massive season statistically. If the Liberty finish near the top of the standings again, her MVP case will become even stronger.
4. Breanna Stewart, F, New York Liberty (+1000)
4. Breanna Stewart, F, New York Liberty (+1000)
Breanna Stewart, F, New York Liberty (+1000)
Breanna Stewart already knows what it takes to win MVP. She earned the award in 2023 and still remains one of the most dominant forwards in the game today.
Her recent form has been excellent. Stewart is coming off championship runs in both Unrivaled and EuroLeague competition, which shows she is healthy and playing at a very high level. The Liberty are once again expected to compete for a title, and if they finish near the top of the league, Stewart will stay firmly in the MVP race.
3. Napheesa Collier, C, Minnesota Lynx (+1000)
3. Napheesa Collier, C, Minnesota Lynx (+1000)
Napheesa Collier, C, Minnesota Lynx (+1000)
Napheesa Collier has been very close to winning MVP over the last two seasons. She finished second in voting both years and continues to improve her game.
Last season, Collier posted career highs in points, blocks, and field-goal percentage. Her production was elite on both ends of the floor. The only concern entering this season is her recovery from ankle surgery, which will likely keep her out for at least the first month. Even with that setback, she still has the talent to stay in the MVP race if she returns quickly and dominates again.
2. Caitlin Clark, G, Indiana Fever (+250)
Caitlin Clark is the player many fans will be watching closely this season. She enters 2026 healthy and motivated after injuries slowed parts of her second year in the league.
When fully healthy, Clark already showed superstar potential. She won Rookie of the Year and earned first-team All-WNBA honors during her first full season. The Indiana Fever also look much stronger heading into this year, and expectations around the team are very high. If Indiana becomes one of the leagueās best teams and Clark produces elite numbers, she could seriously challenge for her first MVP award.
Until someone proves otherwise, Aāja Wilson remains the clear favorite to win MVP. She has dominated the league for years and already owns four MVP trophies since 2020.
Wilson is also the defending co-Defensive Player of the Year, which shows how valuable she is on both ends of the court. Last season, she shot 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range, and 80 percent from the free-throw line. Those are incredible numbers, especially for a dominant center. The Las Vegas Aces still depend heavily on her, and as long as she continues performing at this level, she will remain the player everyone is chasing.
