What happened?
The Las Vegas Aces stormed into the 2025 WNBA postseason with a commanding 102-77 Game 1 victory, sending an early message that the defending champs are still the team to beat. The win came on the heels of superstar forward A’ja Wilson being crowned league MVP for a record fourth time, cementing her status as one of the greatest players in basketball history.
Wilson’s historic MVP
At just 29, Wilson became the first four-time MVP in WNBA history, surpassing legends Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson. She averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game, while shooting a career-best 42.4% from three. Her dominance extended to the defensive end, where she also shared Defensive Player of the Year honors with Minnesota’s Alanna Smith.
Her late-season surge was even more staggering:
- 26.1 PPG, 12 RPG during the Aces’ 16-game win streak
- 13 games with 30+ points, a single-season WNBA record
- League-leading player efficiency rating (33.4)
Depth beyond Wilson
Las Vegas isn’t just Wilson. Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Jewell Loyd, and midseason addition NaLyssa Smith round out a deep roster that can punish opponents from multiple spots on the floor. The Aces’ balance means that even if defenses swarm Wilson, there are reliable scorers and playmakers ready to step up.
Why this matters
For Las Vegas, the combination of superstar firepower, historic MVP production, and championship pedigree creates a daunting picture for the rest of the bracket. The Aces have weathered adversity, flipped a midseason slump into dominance, and now look poised to chase another WNBA crown.
