A’ja Wilson has explained why she continues performing consistently and showing up whenever her team needs her. The 29-year-old powered the Las Vegas Aces to the WNBA semifinals with a remarkable 38-point performance Thursday, once again proving why she is the heartbeat of the defending champions.
A’ja Wilson Speaks on Performing When Aces Need Her Most
Wilson Trained For Big Moments In The Offseason
The Aces defeated the Seattle Storm 74-73 in a closely contested game to advance to the playoff semifinals. Wilson was in remarkable form, scoring 38 points, grabbing five rebounds, and adding three assists. Her 38 points are the second-most ever in an elimination game in WNBA playoff history. It was the kind of performance that has become expected from her over the years, as she continues to deliver consistently for her team.
Storm guard Erica Wheeler hit a pull-up jumper with only 19.3 seconds remaining to give the Storm a 73-72 lead. However, the Aces responded on the next possession with a go-ahead tip shot after Jackie Young recovered a Wilson miss, retaking the lead with just 12.4 seconds remaining. The Storm had the opportunity to fight back, but Wheeler missed a jumper and Gabby Williams failed to get a shot off before the buzzer rang. The No. 2 seed Aces now face No. 6 seed Indiana Fever beginning Sunday for a place in the final.
“You know you try train for these moments in the offseason. You think about these moments and wanting to shine bright on the brightest stages and I’m so glad that I was able to do that tonight,” Wilson replied when asked how she’s always able to step up and meet the occasions in big moments. “But it wasn’t just me, it was my whole team. We really wheeled together and God got us, he got out back for sure.”
Wilson Credits Belief in Each Other For Team’s Success
The Aces’ semifinal appearance keeps alive their pursuit of another championship. But things could have been different after Wilson, co-winner of the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year Award, missed her midrange shot. Thankfully, Jackie Young was at the right place at the right time to tip it home for the Aces and regain the lead.
On her initial reaction to Jackie Young’s winning tip, Wilson said: “Jackie Young… she always shows up for us every single night, and I feel so blessed that she was there. The biggest thing is believing in each other. At the start of the season, we were still learning to trust one another and build that belief. Now, you can see it in everything we do—everyone believes in everyone else.”
All attention now turns to the semifinals, with the Aces set to compete in their seventh consecutive semifinal, while Wilson’s Thursday-night performance moves her up to sixth place for most 20+ point games in league history. Meanwhile, the Storm will be regretting another missed chance after suffering their third elimination in the last four playoffs.
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