The 2026 WNBA MVP race is heating up as the regular season enters its final stretch.
\nFour-time MVP A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces (23-11) has emerged as the MVP frontrunner, which should shock no one. However, Olivia Miles' dominant arrival on the scene has taken some by surprise as the rookie has helped position the Minnesota Lynx (28-7) – who have already secured a postseason berth – atop the WNBA standings.
\nCan Miles chase down Wilson and become just the second player in WNBA history to win MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season? Which other players are in the MVP conversation?
\nWe break it all down in this week's WNBA MVP power rankings (all stats through Aug. 12):
\n1. A'ja Wilson, C, Las Vegas Aces
\nA'ja Wilson is the favorite to win league MVP, yet again. After becoming the league's first four-time MVP last season, it's hard to imagine Wilson one-upping herself. But that's exactly what she's doing. Wilson leads the league in scoring with 26.3 points per game – just shy of a new career-high – in her ninth season in Las Vegas. She's also averaging 9.8 rebounds (third-highest in the league), 3.1 assists, a league-high 2.1 blocks and 1.5 steals in 31 games (all starts). Wilson has recorded double-digit points in every game this season, including a 45-point performance vs. the Connecticut Sun on May 15. She's grabbed 15 rebounds in five games this season and her 17 double-doubles rank third in the league. Wilson's well on her way to becoming the league's first five-time MVP.
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\n![\"Jul](\"https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_sports_articles_558/622b628698ed21ef79553a0c15b4977c.jpg\" "\\"Jul")
2. Olivia Miles, G, Minnesota Lynx
\nCandace Parker is the only player in WNBA history to win MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season when she accomplished the feat in 2008. Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles could enter elite company. The TCU product is a near lock for Rookie of the Year and has steadily played her way into the MVP conversation. Miles has been the bus driver for the Lynx, powering them to a WNBA-best 27-7 record so far this season. She leads all rookies in scoring (19.8 ppg) and assists (6.1), which ranks 10th and seventh in the league, respectively. Miles hit a record eight 3-pointers in the Lynx's 87-84 victory over the Golden State Valkyries on June 5 to break Caitlin Clark's rookie record for 3-pointers in a game. Miles also became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 600+ points and 150+ assists earlier this month.
\n![\"Minnesota](\"https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_sports_articles_558/83078d75355133843e02483043029e5d.jpg\" "\\"Minnesota")
3. Caitlin Clark, G, Indiana Fever
\nThe 6-foot guard is averaging career-highs in points (21.7), field-goal percentage (44.3%) and 3-point percentage (36.1%), and her 8.2 assists per game is tied with Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas for the most in the league. Clark has scored double-digits in all but two games this season, including a 45-point, 10-assist performance in the Fever's win over the Seattle Storm on July 17. That same game, Clark reached 200 career 3-pointers, hitting the milestone in 74 games, faster than any player. She holds the recored for most career 20-point, 10-assist games with 19, more than any franchise in WNBA history. And she's doing so efficiently. Her 4.8 turnovers per game marks the lowest average of her career.
\n![\"Indiana](\"https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_sports_articles_558/ffd1d6438f40c41ef95b542f1803dc90.jpg\" "\\"Indiana")
4. Paige Bueckers, G, Dallas Wings
\nThe 2025 reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year is having a strong sophomore campaign, averaging career-highs in points per game (20.2), assists (5.8) and rebounds (4.1) per game through 32 starts, all while shooting 50.6% from the floor and 38.6% from the 3-point line. Bueckers became the fastest player in WNBA history to hit 1,000 points and 250 assists in June. The 24-year-old UConn product has led the Wings' turnaround season, and the team's 19 victories already surpasses last year's total (10) win mark. The Wings have recently stumbled on hard times, dropping six of their last 10 games – including three consecutive losses – which has hurt Bueckers' MVP hopes. The Wings will have to correct course and finish the season strong if Bueckers wants to have a shot.
\n![\"Dallas](\"https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_sports_articles_558/f8f905cdb0e3c7e28bcdc729d333b094.jpg\" "\\"Dallas")
5. Kelsey Mitchell, G, Indiana Fever
\nKelsey Mitchell is getting better with time. In her ninth season, the Fever's all-time leading scorer is averaging a career-high 24.3 points per game, which ranks second in the league behind A'ja Wilson, while shooting 50.9% from the field and 44.5% from the 3-point line. Mitchell has scored 20 or more points in 17 consecutive games, marking the longest scoring streak in a single WNBA season. The Ohio State product ranks second in the league in total points (803), made field goals (283) and is third in made 3-pointers (97).
\n![\"Aug](\"https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_sports_articles_558/2636482c60064ca8317e450662cb3dfe.jpg\" "\\"Aug")
6. Breanna Stewart, F, New York Liberty
\nThe 2026 WNBA Commissioner's Cup MVP is leading the Liberty in points (21.3) and blocks (1.4) this season, which both rank top 10 in the league. Her stat line is rounded out by 8.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Stewart has scored double-digits in all but one game in 33 starts this season and her 47% field-goal percentage is her highest mark since 2022. Stewart's 10 double-doubles are tied for the 10th in the league.
\n![\"Breanna](\"https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_sports_articles_558/1f9c03c379d0af0d132051b8854ce63e.jpg\" "\\"Breanna")
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
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\nThis article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA MVP power rankings: Can Olivia Miles challenge A'ja Wilson?