Overview
- As of Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, A’ja Wilson sits as the clear MVP favorite based on league-leading scoring, elite rebounding and rim protection that show up across box-score and defensive metrics.
- Minnesota rookie Olivia Miles has vaulted into both Rookie of the Year and MVP conversations by lifting the Lynx into the top of the standings with high-level scoring and playmaking.
- Caitlin Clark has mounted a late regular-season surge that renewed her MVP case with strong assists and scoring, but questions about early-season injury management and defensive impact have limited some media and analyst emphasis.
- Analysts are split on whether the race is two- or three-player, and Miles’s ankle injury plus remaining games before the FIBA World Cup pause leave the outcome vulnerable to late shifts.
- Voters historically reward a mix of elite individual numbers and team success, so remaining Minnesota, Indiana and Las Vegas finishes, head-to-head results and player availability will likely decide the final vote.