Predicting MVP, champion and more — the WNBA's 30th season starts now

The WNBA is back as the league tips off its 30th season in Friday, May 8. 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 which 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 an WNBA Finals prediction. MVP A'ja Wilson , Las Vegas Aces In true sports legend fashion, A’ja 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.