WNBA legends Cynthia Cooper and Candace Parker have offered their predictions for the 2026 WNBA season. Both legends participated in an interview and shared their views on which teams will reach the WNBA Finals.
Parker’s Finals Prediction: Aces vs. Fever
Candace Parker, a three-time WNBA champion and two-time MVP, thinks the Aces and the Indiana Fever will meet in the postseason for the second year running. Parker ended her career with the Aces.
“It’s Aces vs. Indiana Fever in the Finals,” Parker said. She added, “The Indiana Fever came within an overtime win last year in Game 5 against the Aces of being in the Finals. And this year they add a healthy Caitlin Clark, back playing with confidence.”
Cooper Anticipates Aces Return to the Finals
Cynthia Cooper believes four-time MVP A’ja Wilson will lead the Las Vegas Aces to a fifth WNBA Finals appearance in the last six years. Cooper won Finals MVP for four straight years on the Houston Comets team that won the WNBA’s first four league championships.
Even though the Aces lost to the Dallas Wings 101-84 on Sunday in their sole preseason game against a fellow WNBA team, Cooper has faith in the Aces. She anticipates the New York Liberty will be their Finals foe once again.
“I’m the queen of the back to back-to-back to back,” Cooper said. “Even though the Las Vegas Aces had a bad loss to Dallas, I don’t think you can bet against them.”
Liberty’s Hunger for a Title
Cooper anticipates the Liberty will be “super hungry” and bring their A-game every night. The Liberty won the championship in 2024 but suffered a first-round exit to the Phoenix Mercury last season. Breanna Stewart was sidelined because of a sprained MCL in her left knee.
More Predictions from the WNBA on Prime Broadcast Team
Cooper and Parker will both be part of the WNBA on Prime’s broadcast team. In the nearly 30-minute interview, Cooper and Parker opined on the NBA playoffs, WNBA free agency, which WNBA team will surprise us all, and WNBA expansion.
The pair gave their opinions in an interview with USA Today’s Studio IX.
This all comes as the 2026 WNBA season begins.