The Las Vegas Aces entered the playoffs with a seven-game winning streak. But the health of their star, A’ja Wilson, has been a concern as they head into the first-round series against the Indiana Fever. Wilson was ruled out of the World Cup squad with Team USA, and ever since, questions have remained around her fitness. And Wilson’s recent comments show us why she is still the reigning MVP, per an X post by ESPN’s Kareem Copeland.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
“It’s not the best at times, but you push through. This is the time where I can’t really care about much that’s going on, as much as I want to. That’s why I try to dedicate as much time off the court as I can to making sure that I’m good at medical tests, making sure that I’m warm and ready,” said Wilson.
“But honestly, I don’t think anyone right now is 100%. So I’m like, please don’t feel bad for me. I’ve still got a job to do, and I’m going to show up for my teammates every day.”
Wilson has not missed a single game since her absence at FIBA, but concerns about her previous injury lingering still plague the league. Surprised by this honest admission, a reporter promptly asked Wilson if a little empathy for her would be alright instead. And Wilson, not surprisingly, had an answer for this as well.
“I mean, yeah, sure. I pick and choose when I want to have a little empathy for me, so it’s okay. I still love it,” Wilson said.
A’ja Wilson has been in fine form this season, and her fitness and availability in the postseason can be the deciding factor for the Aces retaining their title.
Earlier in the season, Wilson missed three regular-season games and the Commissioner’s Cup championship earlier in the summer due to a lower-leg and ankle issue. The ankle injury came on June 28 as the Aces pulled off a 102-99 win against the Chicago Sky. Then, back-related issues appeared on Wilson’s injury reports ahead of some late-season games.
Despite these issues, Wilson has once again finished as a frontrunner in the MVP race, averaging a league-leading 26.2 points per game. But Wilson is not just an elite offensive weapon for this Aces team. She is also adding a staggering 9.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game as well. She ranks fifth in the league in rebounds per game at 9.4, and leads the league in blocks per game at 1.9.
The Aces got the better of the Fever in last year’s semifinals, winning that series 3-2 on their way to the WNBA title. But the story could pan out a little differently this time.
The Aces have lost two of their three regular-season games against the Fever this season. And while the Fever have been known for their offensive prowess this season, they have managed to suffocate the Aces to only 76.3 points per game, the lowest by any team against Indiana this season.
The Aces are also without a key player in NaLyssa Smith, who was ruled out for the season due to a knee injury just before the FIBA World Cup break. In a surprising move, the Aces also waived Chennedy Carter, who, for some experts, was leading the race for the sixth Player of the Year.
However, the Indiana Fever are not without their issues as well. Aliyah Boston, who went down with a lower-leg injury in their last regular-season game against the Minnesota Lynx, has been marked questionable for Sunday’s game.
It’s no secret that Boston has been the mainstay of Indiana’s defense this season, providing them with the much-needed stability in the paint and in and around the rim. Her absence could leave a big gap in the Fever’s frontcourt.
But for the fans, this series promises to be an exhilarating one. Both teams are among the highest-scoring teams in the league, with the Fever averaging 96.0 PPG and the Aces averaging 91.5 PPG.
Only time will tell who comes out victorious.