With the WNBA postseason approaching, conversation now surrounds the MVP award contenders. Among stars like Las Vegas center A’ja Wilson, Indiana Fever guards Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, and Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers, one name stands out.

Recently, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve supported Olivia Miles’ MVP run during the postgame press conference on Friday. For Miles, winning the MVP would also mean becoming the second rookie to win it after Los Angeles Sparks’ Candace Parker.

“If Olivia Miles doesn’t play, we’re not 31 and 7, and, so, to me, MVP awards should go to teams that are at the top, especially if that player, if she’s not out there, we have a hard time being where we are,” Reeve told the media, crediting Minnesota’s success to Miles.

Minnesota Lynx’s rookie guard Olivia Miles has put together a stellar 2026 season, with many calling her a definite MVP favorite. Drafted by Minnesota with their No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA draft.

“And that greatness, you know, just kind of oozes out of her [Miles] because she knows that those vets really, really believe in her and that they’re going to be there for her at tough moments”, Reeve added during the Lynx post-game presser on Friday.

During the 2026 regular season, Miles has averaged 19.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game while playing an average of 30.6 minutes per night.

She also boasts a 50.2% field goal percentage, alongside a 38.0% accuracy from the three-point range and an 87.5% success rate from the free-throw line.

Her season scores rival that of Parker’s historic rookie season in 2008, when she averaged 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. 

Parker also held a 20-14 win record with the Sparks, which Lynx HC Reeve compares to their even more impressive 31-7 record in 2026, to justify why she feels Miles could realistically become the 2026 MVP.

Can Olivia Miles beat out A’ja WIlson and win the WNBA’s 2026 MVP award?

According to USA Today’s WNBA MVP power rankings, A’ja Wilson remains at the forefront of the MVP race. During her 2026 season, the four-time MVP player has continued to win several accolades during the 2026 season.

She was named Best WNBA Player and Best Athlete in Women’s Sports at the 2026 ESPYs. Wilson was also named the 2026 BET Sportswoman of the Year. But Miles follows right after, and for good reason.

“The TCU product is a near lock for Rookie of the Year and has steadily played her way into the MVP conversation,” USA Today’s Cydney Henderson said in her rankings report. “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.”

Henderson points to Miles’ collegiate career at TCU to explain why she ranked the rookie Lynx guard right after Wilson.

During her fifth collegiate season with the TCU Horned Frogs, Miles was named Big 12 Player of the Year.

She posted historic numbers, averaging 19.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while leading the NCAA with six triple-doubles, per Sports Reference. 

Based on her standout rookie season, Olivia Miles is definitely a strong contender for the MVP award. But what remains to be seen is if she can surpass Wilson and snag the award.