2026 WNBA awards winners: Angel Reese, A'ja Wilson headline All-Defensive teams — SkimNews
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- A'ja Wilson became the first five-time MVP in WNBA history and the first player to win the award in three consecutive seasons, taking 65 of 74 first-place votes while averaging 26.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks on 52.7/40.4/86.4 shooting splits.
- Angel Reese won Defensive Player of the Year for the first time after the Dream finished third in defensive rating (103.5); the Dream were 13 points per 100 possessions worse with her off the floor and opponents shot 6.4% worse from the field when she was on it.
- Cheryl Reeve swept Coach of the Year (record fifth time, first coach in major American pro sports to reach five) and Executive of the Year (third career), becoming the first person to win both awards in the same season twice — even though her 33-11 Lynx were bounced in the first round.
- Olivia Miles was named unanimous Rookie of the Year, the sixth player to earn the honor unanimously, averaging 19.8 points and 6.0 assists while breaking Caitlin Clark's rookie scoring record with 790 points.
- Jessica Shepard won Most Improved Player after posting 14.5 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game on a two-year, $2 million free-agent deal, leading the league with six triple-doubles and recording the second 20-20-10 game in WNBA history.
- Janelle Salaün became the first unanimous Sixth Player of the Year in WNBA history, setting single-season reserve records with 509 points, 93 three-pointers, and 27 double-digit scoring games to help the expansion Golden State Valkyries to a franchise-record 32 wins.
- The Minnesota Lynx became the first No. 1 seed in WNBA history to lose to a No. 8 seed in the first round, swept by the New York Liberty — yet still produced Coach of the Year, Executive of the Year, and unanimous Rookie of the Year.
Why it matters: A'ja Wilson's fifth MVP and third consecutive win establishes her as the unquestioned defining player of this WNBA era, while Reese's DPOY proves she is now an elite two-way force rather than just a rebounding specialist. Reeve's dual honors despite a first-round playoff exit show how dominant a coach-executive combination can remain even when the postseason result goes the wrong way.
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