A’ja Wilson’s MVP season ends in a sweep
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson received her record fifth WNBA Most Valuable Player award on October 8, 2026. Golden State eliminated the defending champions from the semifinals the following night on the defending champions’ home court.
The Valkyries won 87-77 in overtime, completing a 3-0 semifinal sweep against the Aces. Las Vegas entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed following a regular season with 31 victories and 13 defeats.
A’ja Wilson wins an unprecedented fifth MVP
Wilson added the 2026 MVP honor to previous victories from 2020, 2022, 2024, and 2025. She became the first WNBA player to win the award in three consecutive seasons, extending her existing league record.
Cynthia Cooper previously won consecutive MVP awards in 1997 and 1998. At the October 8 ceremony, Wilson’s mother, Eva, presented the trophy alongside WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, team president Nikki Fargas, and owner Mark Davis.
A’ja Wilson leads the MVP voting
Wilson collected 65 first-place votes from a 74-member media panel, earning 713 points in the 2026 MVP voting. Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles finished second with six first-place selections and 442 points.
Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell placed third with 287 points and two first-place votes. Teammate Caitlin Clark finished fourth at 212, followed by New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart with 171.
A’ja Wilson earns another scoring title
Wilson averaged 26.2 points across 41 games in 2026, leading the WNBA in scoring for the third consecutive season. Her average ranked second in league history behind her own 26.9 mark from 2024.
Her 1,073 regular-season points marked the second time she exceeded 1,000 in one campaign. Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell finished with 1,086 total points, although Wilson led qualified players in scoring average across the league.
A’ja Wilson delivers historic scoring games
Wilson scored at least 30 points in 13 regular-season games, tying the WNBA record she established in 2025. Her season also included 33 appearances with 20 points or more for Las Vegas.
On May 15, Wilson scored 45 against the Connecticut Sun, becoming the first WNBA player with multiple career games reaching that mark. Her 50 career 30-point performances trailed only Diana Taurasi’s 54.
A’ja Wilson expands her offensive range
Wilson converted 40.4% of her three-point attempts in 2026, below her 42.4% mark from 2025. She made a career-high 38 three-pointers on 94 attempts, both personal records for the Las Vegas Aces.
She converted 52.7% of field-goal attempts and 86.4% of free throws during regular-season play. Wilson also averaged a career-high 3.2 assists, expanding her role as a passer while retaining strong scoring efficiency.
A’ja Wilson leads the league in blocks
Wilson recorded 79 blocks in 2026, averaging 1.9 per game. She led the WNBA in that category for the fifth straight season, adding to her three career Defensive Player of the Year awards.
The Las Vegas center collected 384 rebounds, including 309 on defense, while averaging 9.4 per appearance. Wilson also recorded 1.4 steals per contest, contributing to the Aces beyond her scoring responsibilities.
Becky Hammon changes Wilson’s role
Becky Hammon became the Las Vegas Aces head coach in 2022 and began expanding Wilson’s offensive responsibilities. During an early workout in San Antonio, the coach observed perimeter skills that the team had seldom used previously.
Wilson agreed when Hammon asked for permission to coach her firmly in front of teammates. Las Vegas later used the 6-foot-4 center like a big guard, expanding her role beyond the low post.
A’ja Wilson withdraws from the World Cup
USA Basketball announced on August 31 that A’ja Wilson would miss the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin for health reasons. Washington Mystics teammates Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen joined the national roster following the withdrawals of Wilson and Kelsey Plum.
Wilson also dealt with an ankle injury during the summer and missed the Commissioner’s Cup championship game. Following the international break, she averaged 27.8 points and 8.8 rebounds across the Aces’ final 4 regular-season victories.
A’ja Wilson leads a first-round victory
Wilson opened the playoffs on September 27 with 38 points, 16 rebounds, four blocks, and two steals against Indiana. Las Vegas won 102-85 at home, taking the lead in their first-round series against the Fever.
Indiana tied the matchup on September 29, forcing a third game back in Las Vegas. Wilson then scored 36 points and collected 10 rebounds as the Aces advanced with a 94-83 victory on October 1.
Fun fact: A’ja Wilson learned about her fifth MVP through a vintage rotary phone delivered on a tray, playing a recorded message from former Vice President Kamala Harris.
A’ja Wilson receives a technical foul
Wilson received a technical foul during the September 29 playoff game in Indianapolis following an exchange with a spectator. The incident occurred after officials assessed a blocking foul against Indiana guard Sophie Cunningham.
The Fever won 99-89, while Wilson finished with 22 points and nine rebounds. She later apologized to her teammates for the technical foul but maintained that the spectator’s behavior had crossed a personal boundary.
Golden State wins two home semifinal games
Golden State held Las Vegas to a season-low 60 points in its October 4 semifinal opener at Chase Center. Gabby Williams finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists in the 71-60 victory.
The Valkyries followed with an 83-81 win on October 7 after overcoming a late Las Vegas comeback. Veronica Burton made the decisive three-pointer before Kiah Stokes blocked Chelsea Gray’s final attempt near the basket.
Olivia Miles’ rookie season has drawn comparisons with Caitlin Clark’s first year because both guards quickly reshaped expectations for young WNBA playmakers. Explore how their records, production, and early-career impact compare.
A’ja Wilson’s season ends in overtime
Wilson recorded 21 points and 10 rebounds in the October 9 elimination game, making six of 19 field-goal attempts. Golden State gained momentum with a 17-0 run during the third quarter in Las Vegas.
Jackie Young tied the score with 27 seconds left in regulation, sending the deciding game to overtime. Golden State outscored the Aces 16-6 in the extra period, including eight points from Gabby Williams.
A’ja Wilson’s mother shared a “Love beats Hate” message that drew attention beyond basketball. Explore what she meant and the story behind her words.
Should A’ja Wilson’s record fifth MVP outweigh the Aces’ playoff disappointment when judging her season? Join the discussion and share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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