“Man, my little award ”case”, that’s what NBA star and boyfriend Bam Adebayo lovingly calls A’ja Wilson, as he once told Dwyane Wade. Well, that award case just added another gem as the Las Vegas Aces secured their third title in four seasons with a 97-86 win over the Phoenix Mercury. The four-time MVP was, as expected, sensational, pouring in 31 points and grabbing nine rebounds. But the night’s most heartwarming moment came after the buzzer when Bam wrapped her in a tight embrace, his heartfelt smile saying everything words couldn’t. 

In just eight words, Adebayo summed up the moment perfectly when asked what went through his mind: “You’re blessed to see somebody have that much success.” And the praise didn’t stop there. He added, “That’s the thing about shared success… somebody who they compare to Bill Russell, and you talk about how much greatness that they have.” 

Yes! She’s being mentioned in the same breath as Bill Russell! She’s the only other player besides him to win three MVPs and three championships in just four seasons. As Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon put it, Wilson is truly on another level: “She’s alone on Everest. There is no one else around.”

On the championship night, A’ja Wilson couldn’t stop smiling, her voice ringing out as she repeated, “Thank you for believing in me, baby!” over and over. Beside her, Bam Adebayo held her close, quietly saying, “You got it done… You’re okay.” In that moment, the two simply melted into each other’s arms, letting the joy of victory wash over them.

It wasn’t the first time Bam Adebayo had been there for her unforgettable moments. Just last month, when A’ja won her fourth MVP award, he was the one walking with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert to hand her the trophy. Seeing him approach, she sank to her knees, smiling through tears, overwhelmed by love and pride. 

Though they have tried to keep their private moments to themselves, the games are the place where we get to see the love bloom. The sparks of romance first caught attention during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where Bam was sitting courtside. Again, supporting A’ja. Bam even attended a Miami-Dade County ceremony where he received a key to the city, with A’Ja in the crowd. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava couldn’t resist joking, “I guess that has something to do with Bam and the Heat being here today.”

By February 2025, their relationship was quietly official. Bam was right there courtside for A’Ja’s No. 22 jersey retirement at South Carolina, where she gave him a heartfelt shoutout: “I wouldn’t be who I am today without the love, support and sacrifices of so many people… especially my favorite Olympian from out of town.” Clearly, their connection goes far beyond Olympic medals and defensive dominance. 

But A’Ja has been on a historic tear lately, stacking records like chocolate bars in a candy shop, one after another, sweet and unstoppable.

Dominance defined: A’Ja Wilson becomes a legend

A’Ja Wilson’s latest season has been nothing short of historic, and it all came together in the WNBA Finals. After surviving a tough first-round battle against the Seattle Storm and a thrilling five-game series against the Indiana Fever, the Las Vegas Aces crushed the Phoenix Mercury in a 4-0 sweep. Wilson’s dominance was undeniable, averaging 28.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and two blocks per game, and she was named Finals MVP for the second time across the team’s three titles. 

But the real headline is her “triple crown” season—winning MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP all in the same year, a feat so rare that even legends like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, or Lisa Leslie never pulled it off!

Her résumé now definitely reads like a legend’s script. At just 29, Wilson already owns four league MVPs, two Finals MVPs, three championships, and two Defensive Player of the Year awards. Only five players in WNBA history have ever won MVP and DPOY in the same season, but Wilson has done it twice, and no one has even attempted such a sweep in nearly two decades. 

And the reason behind this achievement? The old-school mantra: hard work and consistency. Across 267 regular-season games, she’s fouled out just once, and in 55 postseason contests, she’s never even reached five fouls. In the final stretch of the regular season, Wilson was unstoppable, averaging 26.1 points, 12 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.6 steals, all while keeping turnovers to a minimum. Her dominance wasn’t just skill, it was control, precision, and relentless focus on every single possession.

And then there’s the historic Bill Russell comparison. Russell achieved the feat during the Celtics’ dominant run in the early 1960s, and now Wilson has matched that rare level of sustained greatness. From nearly scraping a 14-14 start to finishing the season on a 16-game winning streak and claiming the No. 2 playoff seed, Wilson and the Aces have firmly established themselves as a modern dynasty.

And honestly, the GOAT debate won’t just revolve around Caitlin Clark or Angel Reese. A’Ja Wilson has undeniably earned her place in that conversation as well.