The WNBA MVP race is far from settled, but one thing is becoming clear: Olivia Miles is generating more buzz than Caitlin Clark. The rookie sensation from the Minnesota Lynx has captured the attention of voters and analysts alike, even as Clark posts flashier numbers for the Indiana Fever.
Miles, the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft, is averaging 19.9 points and 6.2 assists per game, leading the Lynx to the best record in the league. Clark, meanwhile, has been a statistical powerhouse for the Fever, putting up 22.1 points and 8.3 assists per contest. Yet, when MVP discussions heat up, it's Miles who's getting the nod — and the reasons go beyond raw stats.
According to a recent analysis by The Athletic, the key factor is team success. The Lynx have been a model of consistency all season, while the Fever hovered around .500 for much of the first half. Clark's shooting struggles (33.4% from three), late-game defensive substitutions, and a string of technical fouls and turnovers also hurt her case. The Fever didn't crack the top four seeds until late July, and historically, a top seed is almost a prerequisite for MVP consideration.
“Miles has received the secondary buzz instead of Clark in the MVP conversation in part because of the Fever’s slower start to the season,” wrote Annie Costabile and Sabrina Merchant. “Miles has provided loads of highlights this season and has exceeded expectations; by extension, so have the Lynx.”
That sentiment is echoed by WNBA legend Candace Parker, who recently named her four MVP finalists: A'ja Wilson, Olivia Miles, Paige Bueckers, and Kelsey Mitchell. Notably, Clark was left off the list, and Parker explained why Miles gets the edge.
“Those are my 4. I think you could swap, but I think Olivia Miles gets the edge just because they’re the No. 1 team in the league,” Parker said. “You know, they’re ahead, head and shoulders, I would say, above. Um, but yeah, I think A’ja Wilson, again, unless voters get tired, you know, this mid-season, yeah, it’s hard not to have her in the conversation.”
Parker's choice of Mitchell over Clark is also telling. Mitchell is the Fever's leading scorer at 24.3 points per game, and her steady production may be overshadowing Clark's headline-grabbing moments. The debate has even sparked teammate Aliyah Boston's own MVP picks, which also omitted Clark, adding fuel to the fire.
But is the MVP race really about who's the best player, or who's on the best team? The Lynx's dominance has made Miles the face of a winning franchise, and that narrative is hard to ignore. Clark, for all her individual brilliance, hasn't been able to lift the Fever to the same heights — at least not yet.
As the season winds down, the MVP conversation will only intensify. But for now, Miles has the momentum, and she's not letting go. Whether that's fair to Clark is another question — one that's sure to spark more controversy among fans who believe Clark deserves more respect.
