The WNBA is back as the league tips off its 30th season on Friday.
The Las Vegas Aces will be looking to run it back as defending champs with the reigning MVP, A'ja Wilson, leading the way. Lots of other contenders hope to have something to say about that, including the Atlanta Dream, New York Liberty and Indiana Fever.
The Fever, who were without floor leader Caitlin Clark for much of last season, are fully healthy. The Liberty, who were also bitten by the injury bug last season, already have Sabrina Ionesco on the sidelines after she rolled her ankle in a preseason game against the Connecticut Sun.
The Atlanta Dream also made the trade of the offseason, getting Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky to add to a roster that won 30 games last season.
Who will win the postseason awards and the WNBA championship? USA Today Sports polled its Studio IX reporters Nancy Armour, Callie Fin, Meghan L. Hall, Cydney Henderson, Danielle Lerner and Mitchell Northam, and the results are below. Each also made a WNBA Finals prediction.
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Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson (22) reacts during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Sparks at Michelob Ultra Arena.
MVP
A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
In true sports legend fashion, Wilson finds motivation where the mere mortal wouldn’t. From a fourth-place MVP vote in 2023 to being left out of conversations for the award during most of the 2025 campaign, the league’s most decorated player sees the haters and uses it all as motivation. This year, she said she’s using people’s anger as fuel for more domination. There’s no logical reason to add to her personal bulletin board. — Callie Fin
Defensive Player of the Year
A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Wilson has won three of the last four Defensive Player of the Year titles and is poised to win another in 2026. Wilson is a walking mismatch who can guard every position, often forcing teams to game-plan around her because she causes that much disruption. In 2025, she helped the Aces to a 99.2 defensive rating and led the league in blocks, with a career high 2.3 blocks per game. Wilson was also ranked second in rebounds (10.2) and fourth in steals per game (1.6) — Meghan L. Hall
Rookie of the Year
Azzi Fudd, Dallas Wings | Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx
The No. 1 overall pick of the WNBA draft has gone on to win Rookie of the Year 16 out of 24 times, including each of the past four seasons. Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Wings, is in prime position to continue that streak. Fudd led the nation in made 3-pointers last season at UConn and will use her perimeter shooting to fill a glaring need for Dallas. However, Fudd can expect a run for her money from Olivia Miles, who went No. 2 overall to the Minnesota Lynx. Miles can impact the game in a variety of ways, as evidenced by her six triple-doubles at TCU last season. Miles will slide right into the starting lineup as the primary point guard and benefit from the veteran leadership surrounding her. — Cydney Henderson
Sixth Player of the Year
Naz Hillmon, Atlanta Dream
Reigning Sixth Player of the Year Naz Hillmon has a path to win again. The former Michigan Wolverine, who had a 95.8 defensive rating in 2025, has a nonstop motor and a knack for getting timely rebounds, causing turnovers or shutting down top players. She also added a more consistent 3-point shot, which should help lead the Dream's bench unit, which prides itself on causing as much disruption as possible. — Meghan L. Hall
Coach of the Year
Becky Hammon, Las Vegas Aces
With a career winning percentage of 73.1%, it’s difficult to doubt Becky Hammon and the Aces at this point. After a bumpy start last year, the Aces turned it around and finished the regular season on a 16-game winning streak, then went on to win their third championship in four years. All the key pieces are back for Las Vegas, including reigning MVP Wilson. With her on the court and Hammon on the sidelines, the Aces will always be contenders. This season, the Aces will aim to join the Houston Comets, Minnesota Lynx and Seattle Storm as four-time champions. — Mitchell Northam
WNBA Finals predictions
Las Vegas Aces over New York Liberty
Aces beat Liberty in six. Las Vegas and New York have been a step above the rest of the W the last three seasons, and this year is no different. The addition of Satou Sabally gives the Liberty another offensive threat and strengthens their defense. But the Aces are still the Aces, and it’s their title to win until someone says different. — Nancy Armour
Las Vegas Aces over New York Liberty
On paper, this is the matchup that makes the most sense — and a storied one at that. The Liberty are back in super team mode after having retained Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu while making a major free agency addition in Sabally. The Aces are the reigning champions, pursuing their second back-to-back title run in five years. They’ve also retained their core, while adding frontcourt pieces (Stephanie Talbot, Brianna Turner) and potentially making the steal of the offseason by signing electric guard Chennedy Carter back into the league. All of that gives Las Vegas the edge. — Callie Fin
Las Vegas Aces over New York Liberty
There are few teams in this league that have the consistency within their core players that the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty do. Las Vegas and New York will return to the WNBA Finals, with the Aces winning in seven games for their fourth franchise title. — Meghan L. Hall
Las Vegas Aces over Atlanta Dream
The Las Vegas Aces retained its entire starting lineup from last year's championship run and are in prime position to run it back. The franchise kept its core of Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray, while also maintaining its depth with Jewell Loyd and the additions of Carter, Turner and Talbot. The Atlanta Dream enter this season with a chip on their shoulder after being upset in the first round of the playoffs last year. The Dream also returns its core, plus two-time All-Star Reese to get them over the hump. But the Aces' experience will make all the difference. — Cydney Henderson
Atlanta Dream over Las Vegas Aces
While New York and Indiana are legitimate contenders in the East, Atlanta is a standout title threat after adding two-time All-Star Reese to play alongside a returning core that includes Allisha Gray, Hillmon, Rhyne Howard and Jones. The Dream boasts tenacious interior rebounding to complement their versatile perimeter players, and that balance will ultimately deliver the franchise its first WNBA championship. — Danielle Lerner
Las Vegas Aces over Indiana Fever
Assuming Clark stays healthy, Indiana has all the pieces to contend for a championship this year. However, Las Vegas — powered by Wilson — has everything it needs to run it back and repeat for the second time in five seasons. — Mitchell Northam
