Quick Read
- A’ja Wilson scored 35 points and led the Aces to a 107-98 overtime win over the Fever in Game 5.
- Jackie Young and Wilson are the first WNBA duo with 30+ points each in a playoff game.
- The Aces advance to their third Finals in four years, facing the Phoenix Mercury.
- Wilson won her fourth league MVP, cementing her status among WNBA legends.
- The 2025 Finals will be the first best-of-seven series in WNBA history.
A’ja Wilson’s Masterclass: Aces Return to the Finals
The Las Vegas Aces are making WNBA history. On a tense Tuesday night at Michelob Ultra Arena, the Aces survived a relentless Indiana Fever squad in an overtime thriller, clinching a 107-98 victory and booking their ticket to the WNBA Finals for the third time in four seasons. At the heart of it all was A’ja Wilson, whose performance was nothing short of spectacular, reaffirming her status as one of the league’s preeminent stars.
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Wilson’s stat line—35 points, 8 rebounds, 13-of-27 shooting—was the engine that drove Las Vegas past Indiana. Alongside Jackie Young, who tallied 32 points and 10 assists, they became the first duo in WNBA playoff history to each score 30+ points in a single postseason game. For Wilson, it marked her eighth career 30-point playoff outing, tying the all-time league record, and her second 35-point game in a playoff decider. These numbers are not just impressive—they’re historic (Yahoo Sports).
Overtime Drama: Grit and Glory
But the Aces’ path to victory was anything but straightforward. Indiana, battered by injuries all season and missing their star Caitlin Clark, lost another key player in Kelsey Mitchell to a knee injury late in the third quarter. Mitchell’s absence was palpable—she had scored a team-high 15 points and was central to the Fever’s offense. Yet, the Fever found reserves of resilience, rallying to erase an eight-point deficit and force overtime, with Odyssey Sims stepping up for 27 points and 6 assists.
In overtime, Chelsea Gray seized the moment, hitting clutch three-pointers and a wild off-balance shot as the shot clock expired. Her late layup pushed the Aces ahead for good, as Las Vegas finally subdued Indiana’s spirited challenge. The win closed out a grueling five-game series and confirmed the Aces’ place in the Finals—where they’ll face a retooled Phoenix Mercury squad.
Legacy in Motion: Wilson’s Place Among the Greats
Wilson’s heroics are not limited to this season. Her career, now crowned by a record-breaking fourth MVP award, is carving out a spot in the pantheon of WNBA legends. Drafted first overall in 2018, Wilson’s rapid ascent has included Rookie of the Year honors, seven All-Star selections, five All-WNBA nods, and four All-Defensive team appearances. She’s also a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time scoring champion, and a five-time blocks leader (Amherst Student).
Statistically, Wilson stands first in career points per game and player efficiency rating, edging out Hall of Famer Cynthia Cooper. She’s the only player to post consecutive 20+ point, 10+ rebound MVP seasons (2024 and 2025), and last year, she became the first to score over 1,000 points in a single season. Her win share—evaluating a player’s contribution to team victories—is already among the best, despite just eight seasons in the league.
Comparisons to all-time greats like Diana Taurasi, Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, and Cooper highlight both Wilson’s consistency and her peak performance. Taurasi’s record as the league’s all-time scorer and her championship pedigree stand as benchmarks, while Leslie and Parker are celebrated for their sustained excellence and off-court impact. Cooper’s legendary four-year run remains a touchstone for peak achievement. Yet, Wilson’s blend of consistent dominance and historic individual seasons suggests she’s building a legacy that could one day eclipse them all.
The Road Ahead: Finals Showdown with Phoenix Mercury
The 2025 Finals will be a new chapter: for the first time, the Aces and Mercury meet for the championship in a best-of-seven format. The Mercury, led by triple-double machine Alyssa Thomas and supported by Kahleah Copper and Satou Sabally, have redefined themselves following the retirement of Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner. Their path to the Finals included comeback wins and eliminating both defending champion New York and this year’s favorite, Minnesota (ESPN).
During the regular season, Las Vegas held a 3-1 edge over Phoenix, with Wilson averaging 25 points in the matchups she played. The Aces’ big three—Wilson, Young, and Gray—have shown they can rise to the moment, combining for 84 of the team’s 107 points in the semifinals decider. Phoenix’s trio of Thomas, Sabally, and Copper will be their main counterpoint, setting the stage for a battle of stars. Bench contributions could tip the scales, but in a series like this, it’s the big names who will define the outcome.
While some analysts have raised concerns about Las Vegas’s late-game lapses and their tougher road through the playoffs, the Aces’ championship experience and home-court advantage remain significant assets. Both teams arrive healthy and rested, and adrenaline will likely outpace any fatigue from the grueling postseason.
What This Means for Women’s Basketball
Wilson’s rise is emblematic of a shifting landscape in women’s basketball. Her blend of athleticism, leadership, and statistical dominance is inspiring a new generation of players and fans. The Aces’ sustained excellence—potentially three titles in four years—echoes the dynasties of past eras, like the Minnesota Lynx’s run from 2011 to 2017. The Mercury’s rapid rebuild, integrating rookies and new stars, is a testament to the evolving talent pool and the league’s growing competitiveness.
Off the court, Wilson’s visibility and advocacy, much like Candace Parker’s, are expanding the conversation about women’s sports and their impact. If Wilson continues her current trajectory, she could retire as the greatest player in WNBA history, blending the peaks of Cooper with the longevity of Taurasi, Leslie, and Parker.
With each playoff victory and every record shattered, A’ja Wilson is not just leading her team—she’s redefining what greatness looks like in the WNBA. As the Finals tip off, her legacy is already being written in real time, and women’s basketball is richer for it.
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