Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
Jul 22, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) dribbles against the Atlanta Dream in the first quarter of their game at Michelob Ultra Arena.
Las Vegas Aces
LOS ANGELES—A’ja! A’ja! A’ja! As reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson warmed up for shootaround before a late-July matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks, the cavernous Crypto.com Arena erupted with screams. A large group with dozens of little girls stood across a row near the top of the 100s section, lifting their heads to get a look 500 feet below on the court while Wilson practiced her jumpers during shootaround Tuesday night. Wilson, laser-focused on her deadly midrange shot, couldn’t hear the ecstatic group screaming for her attention.
Just minutes later, another young girl–alone–bravely stepped down from the stands as close to the court as security would allow. Mustering up the courage to yell, she shouted, “A’ja!!” at the top of her lungs.
The seven-time All-Star stopped her routine, briefly raised her head, and spotted the young fan 20 yards away. She gave a friendly wave, and a warm, pleasant smile before returning to her work. The young fan waved back, giggling bombastically at a moment she’ll remember for the rest of her life.
Wilson gets this kind of attention everywhere she goes, but the lights always seem to shine just a little brighter in Hollywood. But the future Hall-of-Famer, in front of a crowd of stars, always takes center stage to put on a dazzling show in tinsel town.
Amidst the summer breeze on a cool evening in Downtown Los Angeles, a fiery and physical matchup took place in a competitive playoff race. Just over a week after the All-Star break, the scorching hot Sparks hoped to extend their five-game winning streak at home. 
John Panganiban-The Sporting Tribune
LA Sparks center Azura Stevens (23), tipping off at a WNBA basketball game against the Las Vegas Aces, Tuesday July 29th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
At 11-14 heading into Tuesday’s match, the Sparks fought back from near the bottom of the WNBA to a potential contender. Behind stellar play from veteran stars Kelsey Plum, Dearica Hamby, and Azurá Stevens, as well as rising star Rickea Jackson, the Sparks held strong after a number of key injuries derailed the first half of the season.
Wilson’s Aces, on the other hand, have struggled to stay afloat in a rocky year. After back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023, the Aces lost in the 2024 conference semifinals to the eventual champion New York Liberty. At just .500, the Aces are underachieving as one of the W’s most successful franchises. Coming off a much-needed win against the lowly Dallas Wings, the Aces flew to Los Angeles staying the course. 
John Panganiban-The Sporting Tribune
LA Sparks forward Rae Burrell (12), gets fouled on the lay-up at a WNBA basketball game against the Las Vegas Aces, Tuesday July 29th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
“It’s the W we’ve been competitive for a long, long time so it’s just so great that you have these teams that are playing their best basketball at the right time,” Wilson exclusively told The Sporting Tribune pregame. “And we are hoping that we can be the team that can do the same. So we’re gonna come out and play Aces basketball, stay within our system, and see what the game gives.”
It gave “GOAT”.
In a contest that never felt close, Wilson lit up Crypto.com Arena by starting 10/10 from the field. She finished with 34 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and three steals in front of a crowd of stars including NBA All-Stars Russell Westbrook, Demar Derozan, and Serge Ibaka. Wilson’s 30-point double-double was the sixth in the WNBA this season. She now accounts for five of them alone. She also has the most 30-point double-doubles in league history with 21. The Aces dominated in an 89-74 victory, as the Sparks win streak came to an end, and the Aces improved to 14-13.
It was the second time Wilson faced off against her former teammate Kelsey Plum, who was traded from Las Vegas to LA in a blockbuster deal in January.
Winning two rings together, the duo scorched Vegas with a competitive and fiery attitude, which Wilson echoed. “Definitely competitive. Always!” she said of her relationship with Plum. “I’m loving seeing K.P. thrive in her space, that’s something that I’ve always wished and wanted.” 
John Panganiban-The Sporting Tribune
LA Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10), driving into the lane at a WNBA basketball game against the Las Vegas Aces, Tuesday July 29th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
“It obviously hurts my heart that she is no longer with us,” she continued, “but to see her thrive in the purple and gold here is always good for my heart. So we’re gonna be competitors like we’ve always been. We’re gonna be dogs like we’ve always been. Hopefully we can put on a good show for the fans.”
Adding to the spectacle of Tuesday night, 2024 No. 2 overall pick Cameron Brink made her debut after a 13 month recovery from an ACL tear she suffered her rookie year. With family cheering from the stands, the versatile big added a spark off the bench with a three-pointer on her first attempt.
“Super excited just to have her back,” Wilson said of the former national champion at Stanford. “Obviously injuries suck when it’s a part of the game that we play, but to have her back and healthy alongside her team, I’m definitely happy for her.”
“I’m just happy to be back.” Brink told reporters pregame. “It’s been a long road. I’m just going to try to have fun.” She finished with five points in restricted minutes Tuesday night.
Outside of dominating the basketball court, Wilson also finds time for a little bit of fun.
The 28-year-old made the most of her time in Southern California with her first-ever trip to Disneyland. “It was super cool, ” Wilson said with a smile. “I love roller coasters, so it brought the inner kid out of me. We had an awesome tour guide that just taught us everything, and we kind of got our own little fast pass, and it was just a good day just to chill.”
@aja22wilson
A’ja Wilson at Disneyland
Her significant other, Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo, couldn’t make the trip, but we both speculated whether the 6’9” 255 lbs center would’ve been able to fit on any of the rides.
“I have no idea if he can fit on any roller coasters,” Wilson said with a laugh.
All smiles after the victory, the Aces face the league-best Minnesota Lynx on the road. The Sparks head to Seattle Friday before a Tuesday matchup against the Indiana Fever.
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