As Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson accepted her fifth MVP trophy, almost like clockwork every year, Chelsea Gray wiped her eyes, Mai Yamamoto held back tears, and Stephanie Talbot let her tears flow. Despite the semifinal series against the Golden State Valkyries hanging in the balance, Wilson’s regular-season dominance has led a former United States Vice President to deliver the news, and Bam Adebayo couldn’t be happier for his partner.

A’ja Wilson has now become the only WNBA player in history to win the MVP award for the fifth time. She has achieved a new record of five WNBA MVPs, breaking her own previous record of four. Her historic achievement also makes her the only WNBA player ever to win three MVP awards in consecutive seasons – 2024 to 2026. Her long-term boyfriend and Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo took to Instagram to congratulate Wilson on the incredible season she has had. 

“Shout out to my sweets, A’ja Wilson, on winning her fifth MVP. I took the time out of media day to celebrate you, and that’s what it’s all about: celebrating you, as you do and have done all these amazing things. Congratulations to you and your fifth one. Boom!”

The news of her fifth MVP win came from a very special source, beyond the WNBA. As Wilson was on the court with her team during a practice session, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert made her way into the room carrying a telephone. As Wilson picked up the phone, she received the news from former Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris herself. The moment was made even more extraordinary when someone special to Wilson entered the room. 

Eva Wilson, A’ja’s mother, walked in holding the silver 2026 WNBA MVP award for her superstar daughter. Wilson could not hold back the tears as she saw all her perseverance throughout the season bear fruit. A teary-eyed Wilson addressed her team as Aces head coach Becky Hammon stood beside her star player. 

“I have no words. This is special, obviously…I’m so grateful that I can go to war with each and every one of y’all every single day. You guys light up my life and my world, and I don’t take a minute on court with y’all.”

Not a single eye was dry in the practice arena as Wilson put her name in the GOAT conversation, not only in the W, but in basketball in general. Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson have all won MVP thrice, but no one comes close to touching the legacy Wilson is building. While Adebayo was not there in person this year, he made sure he was last season. 

In 2025, when Wilson won the MVP award, Cathy Engelbert walked into another Aces practice session to share the news. But that time around, she was accompanied by Adebayo, who carried in the award for his girlfriend. The Aces team was heard shouting around Wilson, as she hid her face in her palms, clearly ecstatic at the award and the presence of her boyfriend.

With this year’s MVP award going to Wilson as well, she joins Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Russel as the only players in basketball history to ever win five or more MVP awards. A’ja Wilson has had quite possibly the most dominant year we have ever seen from her, scoring 30+ points in 13 regular-season games.

This puts her second on the list of players with the most 30+ point games, just behind Diana Taurasi. She led the league in points per game all season, finishing with an average of 26.2 PPG over 41 games. She also finished top of the list for blocks per game and fifth for rebounds per game in the regular season.

Her dominance on both sides of the floor led the Aces to their eighth consecutive playoff appearance. They entered the 2026 postseason seeded third, behind the Minnesota Lynx and the Golden State Valkyries. Despite the Aces being down 2-0 in the semifinal series against the Valkyries, no one can dispute the elite play that Wilson has shown this season. 

And the fans seem to agree, as they rushed to the Instagram post of Bam Adebayo to shower the couple, and specifically A’ja Wilson, with their wishes.

Fans congratulate A’ja Wilson on her third consecutive MVP win

Wilson has become one of the most talked-about players in the league this season. From her authority all over the court to her heated exchange with unruly fans, she has become the moment. And this MVP award caps off a regular season where Wilson played some of her best basketball, moving up to 11th on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list with 6,792 points to her name.

“It will soon be called The A’ja Wilson WNBA MVP Award…literally. She’s not slowing down,” one fan wrote, as Wilson winning the MVP has become as certain as death and taxes!

Another fan pushed for a fourth WNBA championship for A’ja Wilson, writing, “Alright now!! We need that other ring for my girl! “

To win a fourth championship, the Aces and Wilson will have to win their next three matchups against the Valkyries led by Gabby Williams. With a team that includes Wilson, Gray, and Jackie Young, the Aces might make this a reality. 

Other fans seemed to focus on the adorable connection that Adebayo and Wilson share.

“My sweets” is too cute!! 🥰,” wrote one fan, referencing Adebayo’s message to Wilson. 

Another fan could hear wedding bells as they speculated about the couple’s future.

“I’m smelling a wedding real soon!!!!!!! Love them together 😍 ,” they wrote.

“Bam why you can’t stop smiling?? Yeah you so proud don’t you??,” wrote another fan, noting how Adebayo was beaming the entire time he spoke about A’ja Wilson. 

Rumors of Wilson and Adebayo being a couple began during the 2024 Olympics. But nothing was made public. Wilson, while talking to The Cosmopolitan in April 2025, even said she would not go public with her relationship.

“I don’t see a hard launch in our future, honestly. I know people are always like, ‘Please!!’ but I think we’re really at peace with where we are, and I’m so happy with where we are. ”

But things could not stay under wraps for too long. The couple was spotted at dinners, and Adebayo was seen wearing the Nike A’One’s (Nike’s collaboration with Wilson) during a game. He was even there when the South Carolina Gamecocks retired Wilson’s jersey number. Eventually, the couple became THE basketball couple for all hooper fans.

One comment under the Instagram post sums this up.

“Our fav hooper couple 🫶”

But despite the MVP, the Aces face elimination in the second round. Now with the award win under her belt, A’ja Wilson will look to lead the Aces to a Game 3 victory against the Golden State Valkyries as the two teams head to Las Vegas for the October 9 matchup. This will be a game the Aces have to win if they hope to extend the series. If not, Wilson and Co. will be swept in round two of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs.