Salaün earns AP honor after record-setting season
Janelle Salaün’s record-setting season earned fresh attention after she was named the AP’s 2026 Sixth Woman of the Year. Sophie Cunningham was also in the conversation for the award after completing a strong season with the Indiana Fever.
Salaün’s reserve scoring records added another notable layer to the AP award result. The recognition came before the WNBA announced its own postseason honors.
The award distinction matters
The AP’s award is officially styled Sixth Woman of the Year, while the WNBA’s official award is called Sixth Player of the Year. Salaün received the AP honor on September 27, while the league’s postseason awards were being announced separately.
That distinction matters when describing Cunningham’s result. She did not receive the AP award, while the official WNBA award had not yet been announced as of October 2.
Salaün stayed in the reserve role
Salaün served as a reserve for Golden State during the 2026 regular season. She averaged 12.7 points and 4.0 rebounds while leading all reserve players in scoring.
Her 12.7 points per game ranked seventh all-time among reserve players in WNBA history. Her reserve role was central to her consideration for the Sixth Player of the Year award.
Her scoring totals set reserve records
Salaün finished the regular season with 509 points, the most ever by a WNBA reserve in a single season. She also made 93 three-pointers, establishing another single-season record for a reserve player.
Her 2.3 made threes per game also set a reserve record. Those three statistical marks were highlighted by the Golden State Valkyries in their award announcement.
She produced frequent double-digit games
Salaün recorded 27 games with at least 10 points during the 2026 regular season. That total is the highest ever recorded by a WNBA reserve in a single season.
She also had six games with at least 20 points, tying for the fourth-highest single-season total by a reserve. Those figures added another measurable part of her record-setting season.
Salaün remained efficient from three
Salaün shot 39.2% from 3-point range during the regular season. Among WNBA players attempting at least five 3-point attempts per game, that percentage ranked fourth in the league.
Her outside shooting was an important part of her scoring profile as a reserve. She finished with 93 made 3-pointers while averaging 2.3 made 3-pointers per game.
Golden State received strong bench scoring
The Valkyries finished the regular season with a 32-12 record and earned the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. Golden State’s bench averaged 35.9 points per game during the season.
Salaün was one of the team’s leading reserve scorers throughout the campaign. The Valkyries entered the postseason after securing a playoff position during the regular season.
Cunningham finished with 7.9 points
Cunningham averaged 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists for Indiana during the 2026 regular season. The WNBA lists those figures on her current player profile.
She remained a perimeter shooting option for the Fever. Cunningham had joined Indiana from Phoenix as part of a four-team trade in January 2025.
Interesting fact: The Mercury selected Sophie Cunningham 13th overall in the second round of the 2019 WNBA Draft, and she spent six seasons with the franchise.
Her shooting remained a key statistic
Cunningham finished the season shooting 41.9% from 3-point range. Her 3-point shooting was one of the statistical strengths of her 2026 season.
She also produced several notable scoring games during the season. On August 18, she made all 3 of her 3-point attempts and scored 13 points against Toronto.
Interesting fact: Sophie Cunningham earned three All-SEC First Team selections.
Cunningham delivered a notable June finish
On June 13, Cunningham scored the final 11 points for Indiana during an 85-75 win over Connecticut. She entered with 3:56 remaining and made 3 3-pointers during a personal 11-3 closing run.
The performance helped Indiana improve to 4-1 in Commissioner’s Cup play. The WNBA’s official game recap recorded Cunningham’s late scoring sequence and her 3 made 3-pointers.
Salaün had already made reserve history
Salaün reached 69 made 3-pointers on July 29, setting the WNBA record for most 3-pointers by a reserve in one season at that time. She later extended the mark to 93 by the end of the regular season.
Her record continued to grow as the season progressed. The Valkyries documented the July milestone before she established the final single-season total.
The teams entered different playoff positions
Golden State entered the postseason as the No. 2 seed after finishing 32-12. Indiana finished sixth at 28-16 and also qualified for the playoffs.
The 2026 regular season ended on September 24. Golden State opened its first-round series against Dallas on September 27, while Indiana opened its series against Las Vegas that same day.
The internet is also talking about Trump getting mixed reception during Presidents Cup speech.
The AP result came before the WNBA awards
Salaün’s AP Sixth Woman of the Year honor was announced on September 27, three days after the regular season ended on September 24. Cunningham did not receive the AP award.
As of October 2, the WNBA had begun announcing its postseason awards, but its 2026 Sixth Player of the Year award had not yet been announced. Salaün’s AP recognition and reserve records remain confirmed developments from the completed regular season.
Even the biggest names in women’s basketball don’t always make the cut. Check out why Caitlin Clark was left out of an NCAA March Madness post featuring WNBA stars.
What do you think about the AP result and Salaün’s historic season? Like this post and comment with your thoughts.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
Read More From This Brand:
