With the WNBA season previous its the halfway level and All-Star Weekend one week away, the dialog surrounding midseason awards has begun, together with the Most Worthwhile Participant title.
Per FanDuel, two-time reigning MVP A’ja Wilson is a runaway favourite, at -360. That ought to come as no shock, as she leads the league with 25.5 factors per recreation on .515 taking pictures and can also be grabbing 9.8 rebounds per recreation.
Wilson, who’s received the MVP award in 4 of the final six seasons, can also be averaging 2.9 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 1.5 steals per contest. Her play has the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in third place at 17-7 within the last week earlier than the All-Star break.
Whereas there isn’t any query Wilson ought to be the favourite, the most important query is whether or not or not there are respectable contenders to unseat her because the MVP. A number of others, six under particularly, have warranted intensive consideration …
Paige Bueckers continues to show she is probably the most dynamic guard within the WNBA pic.twitter.com/Jhq9hT1Zih
— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) July 12, 2026
Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings (+700)
Bueckers is undoubtedly Wilson’s closest challenger, as her affect with the Dallas Wings has been felt in the course of the staff’s 16-8 begin this season. Their fourth-place standing getting into this week is kind of an enchancment from the league’s worst 10-34 mark final season. Bueckers has performed the most important function within the rise to prominence, pacing the Wings with 20.7 factors, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per recreation. She’s additionally hitting a blistering .516 from the ground, together with .381 from three-point vary.
Bueckers received her profession first Participant of the Week honor for the Western Convention earlier this month, averaging 23.6 factors, 5.8 rebounds and seven.4 assists per recreation throughout a 5-0 roll to assist the Wings safe their longest profitable streak because the 2023 season. Her clutch play has been equally evident, as she leads the league in fourth quarter scoring with 138 factors getting into this week.
Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx (+1000)
The second general decide from April’s draft is a serious motive the Minnesota Lynx are sitting atop the league standings at 19-6 with out star ahead and annual MVP-candidate Napheesa Collier. Miles is averaging 19.3 factors and 5.7 assists to steer all rookies whereas her 4.7 rebounds place third.
She’s making in affect on each the previous and current ledgers: Miles, who has scored 19 or extra factors in 12 of the 23 video games she’s performed, presently ranks sixth all-time amongst all rookies along with her scoring common. Miles will look to hitch elite firm, as Candace Parker is the one participant to comb the Rookie of the 12 months and MVP titles, doing so again in 2008. Simply being within the dialog is a formidable accomplishment and Miles is deserving.
Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty (+3500)
It is unlikely Stewart goes to win the award contemplating the contenders in entrance of her, however she deserves the respect of a point out. The 2-time MVP has missed only one recreation this season and is placing collectively one other MVP marketing campaign for the Liberty.
Stewart, one in all eight gamers averaging 20 or extra factors this season, putting seventh within the league with 20.4 a recreation subsequent to eight.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks. All due respect to Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones, but when New York makes a deep run into the postseason, it will be on the energy of Stewart’s play.
Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream (+10000)
Howard would not get sufficient respect when the MVP dialog comes round, however she’s an enormous motive the Dream (15-10) are in fifth place. Atlanta sat atop the league standings not too lengthy again, however hit a tough patch and dipped as little as seventh. Howard’s consistency has the Dream again on observe.
Heading right into a Sunday showdown with the Chicago Sky, Howard is averaging career-highs of 18.2 factors and a league-best 2.6 steals per recreation. She’s additionally contributing with 3.8 rebounds and three.2 assists. Howard completed ninth within the MVP voting final season, and could be receiving votes if there have been a name for ballots now.
ARE YOU KIDDING, KELSEY MITCHELL 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/VYYCq9yHFj
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 19, 2026
Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever (No odds obtainable)
This could generate some dialog, however Mitchell has been rather more beneficial to Indiana this season, than Caitlin Clark. The veteran playmaker ranks third within the league with 22.6 factors per recreation, carrying on the momentum she generated when she took over headlining duties for an injured Clark final 12 months.
Clark’s odds at FanDuel are +1300, however oddsmakers know she’ll generate wagers and do not need to miss out on simple sq. cash. Clark’s not profitable the MVP award, as a result of she not solely would not belong within the dialog proper now, she hasn’t been probably the most beneficial to her staff. That is been Mitchell, the one one to start out all of Indiana’s 26 video games this season.
Gabby Williams, Golden State Valkyries (No odds obtainable)
It is legal that the No. 2 staff within the league standings with an 18-7 mark would not have a participant in anyone’s dialog. The ignorance is wild, and could possibly be as a result of Williams is in everybody’s Defensive Participant of the 12 months dialog. That is fantastic, but when she’s been Golden State’s greatest participant, then she deserves to be within the MVP chatter.
Williams leads the staff with a career-high 15.0 factors, whereas additionally averaging 3.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per recreation. The sportsbooks could not need to align a quantity along with her, however she deserves the popularity.
W.G. Ramirez is a veteran sports activities author from Las Vegas and a Senior Employees Author at Ballislife.com. Observe him on X at @WillieGRamirez.
