A'ja Wilson is leading the WNBA Most Valuable Player race with her elite play to this point in the season. In 32 games, Wilson is leading the WNBA with 27.5 points per game and is also averaging 12.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
The Las Vegas Aces forward has already racked up a historic resume to this point of her career, with two WNBA championships, two WNBA MVP awards, and two WNBA Defensive Player of the Year awards.
A'ja Wilson drew comparisons to NBA Hall-of-Famer and San Antonio Spurs legend Tim Duncan by women's basketball legend Nancy Lieberman in an appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show on Monday.
"I am taking A'ja Wilson," Liberman stated, choosing between Wilson, Caitlin Clark and Breanna Stewart. "I'm going to build around her. She's going to make me a better defensive coach, she's not going to do anything fancy... She's like Tim Duncan. I like people who have won championships."
Tim Duncan has one of the most impressive resumes in NBA history, with five NBA championships, three NBA Finals MVP awards, and two NBA MVP awards. While Wilson still has some work to do, she is well on her way to building the greatest resume in WNBA history and matching that of Duncan.
A'ja Wilson and Las Vegas Aces looking to build momentum ahead of WNBA playoffs
While matching Duncan's resume will be no easy feat, A'ja Wilson will have the opportunity to secure her third-straight WNBA title with the Aces this season. With a record of 20-12, Las Vegas has already clinched a playoff berth with eight games remaining in the WNBA regular season.
The Aces have seen a dip in their performance this season after setting the WNBA single-season wins record in 2023 with a record of 34-6. Las Vegas sits at the No. 4 seed in the standings and will look to build some momentum as the playoffs approach.
The Aces have a modest record of 4-4 since returning from the All-Star break, but Wilson has been spectacular during that stretch. She is averaging 28.3 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 1.9 steals, including two 40-plus-point games.
Six of Las Vegas' final eight opponents have records above .500 in the WNBA standings and three of them have already clinched playoff berths. With this string of tough competition, the Aces will be well prepared to play the WNBA's best come playoff time.