A’ja Wilson has been at the center of the WNBA’s most heated MVP race in years, and on Sunday she once again reminded why her name belongs at the top of the ballot. Wilson poured in 34 points on 11-of-16 shooting, adding eight rebounds, three blocks, two steals, and an assist across 30 minutes in the Las Vegas Aces’ 106–87 victory over the Dallas Wings at Michelob ULTRA Arena.
The performance marked her eighth 30-point outing of the season, the most in the league, and her second straight. Wilson also continued her defensive dominance, recording multiple steals and blocks in the same game for the 14th time in 31 appearances this season. With three blocks, she passed Ruth Riley for ninth on the WNBA’s all-time list (507), closing in on Tammy Sutton-Brown (555) for eighth.
For the season, Wilson has averaged 22.6 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists across 31 games, anchoring the Aces at both ends of the floor. But her recent stretch has been even more dominant — over her last seven games, Wilson is averaging 26.1 points, 13.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists, a run that has fueled Las Vegas’ seven-game winning streak.
Becky Hammon on Wilson’s MVP Case
Before tipoff, Aces coach Becky Hammon addressed the MVP discussion that has largely centered on Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier, Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas, and Wilson. Hammon argued that Wilson’s impact goes beyond simple value to her team.
“I think it’s the most dominant player, not the most valuable for your team, but the best player, the most dominant player in the league,” Hammon said. “Every team has an MVP, right? So you got to talk about a lot of different factors, offensive end, defensive end.”
She pushed back on what she sees as a media-driven narrative, pointing to years when Wilson’s elite two-way play wasn’t rewarded.
“The media always makes their own narrative out of the gates … instead of like really digging into the numbers. … The year we had the number one offense and the number one defense, A’ja didn’t get it,” Hammon explained. “So, people are going to make their own decisions. Can’t get caught up too much in it. We just got to go out and do be about our business. Let A’ja be A’ja and … I think anytime you have to start with the conversation starter is who’s as good as A’ja Wilson, you already have your answer.”
Aces Pull Away From Wings
The Aces (21-14) picked up their seventh straight win, powered by Wilson and Chelsea Gray, who notched a 10-point, 14-assist double-double to tie her franchise record for most assists in a game. Kierstan Bell hit a career-high six 3-pointers on her way to 18 points, NaLyssa Smith added 14, and Jewell Loyd finished with 12.
Dallas (9-26) stayed close early, trailing only 31-27 after the first quarter behind nine points from Maddy Siegrist. But Las Vegas seized control with a second-quarter surge and never looked back. Wilson scored 14 points in the third, punctuating the Aces’ 81-66 lead, and Las Vegas slammed the door with a 15-2 fourth-quarter run. Siegrist paced Dallas with 23 points on 11-of-15 shooting, while Paige Bueckers added 18.
Hammon said afterward that Wilson’s ability to stay efficient under constant defensive attention was key to breaking the game open.
“I mean, it’s hard to ignore when you’re dropping 30 every night. Teams playing better—that always helps. But again, her efficiency, you know, getting 30 on however many shots is quite an accomplishment. … Even A would tell you she’s more interested in the wins.”
She added that Wilson’s composure in the face of double- and triple-teams has stood out during this run.
“She’s right on the top of the scouting report… A’s got to come out and feel the game, see where they’re coming from, ’cause you know they’re going to send double teams, some send triple teams. … She’s shown great patience throughout these last few games, even when she’s scoring 30. I mean, she’s playing the right way and she knows that’s what I’m concerned with first and foremost.”
The Aces buried the Wings from deep, shooting 18-of-34 (52.9%) from 3-point range — the most triples ever hit against Dallas and the second-most in WNBA history. By contrast, the Wings went just 3-of-17 (17.6%) from long range despite winning points in the paint (58-32) and second-chance points (20-6).
Wilson’s Perspective
Wilson, who earlier this season recorded the first 30-point, 20-rebound game in league history, has continued to lean on her ability to steady the Aces when the offense stalls.
“When the game is kind of at a stagnant, we just try to do the easy things and see what works,” Wilson said. “For me, if that means just getting to the free throw line and getting fouled and just trying to put the ball in the hoop just so we can see it go in, then that’s what it’s going to take. … We don’t need to try to get the home run plays. … Just make it easy on everybody.”
She also credited her connection with Gray, joking about the point guard’s creative passing.
“Chelsea just be throwing passes to me, and I’m so glad that she trusts me, but I’m like, girl, I’m just getting out of concussion protocol. … Chelsea’s a wizard with that basketball … she’s someone that’s kept me ready always because I do not want to get hit upside the head.”
MVP Landscape
The MVP race remains wide open. Collier, despite missing games with an ankle injury, continues to lead most ballots thanks to her production and Minnesota’s league-best record. Thomas has surged into the mix with a string of triple-doubles for Phoenix. Wilson, last season’s MVP, sits third in most odds but is closing ground with her dominant two-way play and the Aces’ late-season momentum.
With nine games remaining and Collier sidelined, Wilson’s latest run could push her back into pole position. As Hammon put it, it’s hard to ignore a player dropping 30 on efficient shooting night after night.
