2026 WNBA awards winners: Lynx's Cheryl Reeve wins Executive of the Year for third time in career

Reeve narrowly edged out the Atlanta Dream’s Dan Padover for the award

Awards season has arrived in the WNBA. Ironically, the first two awards announced — Olivia Miles, Rookie of the Year and Cheryl Reeve, Coach of the Year — were won by members of the Minnesota Lynx who were eliminated from the playoffs by the New York Liberty, becoming the first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 8 seed in the first round in WNBA history. Since then, Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard (Most Improved Player), Atlanta Dream Angel Reese (Defensive Player of the Year) and Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün (Sixth Player of the Year) have joined the honorees. As has A'ja Wilson, who won her fifth MVP award and became the first player to win that award in three consecutive seasons.

Reeve also added another Executive of the Year award to her trophy case this week. All major individual awards have now been announced, but still to come are the All-WNBA, All-Defensive and All-Rookie Teams, as well as the Sportsmanship award. Miles, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, was named the unanimous Rookie of the Year as expected. She is the sixth player to win that honor unanimously, joining Aliyah Boston, A'ja Wilson, Elena Delle Donne, Tina Charles and Candace Parker. Miles, who averaged 19.8 points and six assists per game, led