Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson made history by becoming the second player in WNBA history to unanimously win the MVP award in 2024, just before the league playoffs began.
Wilson had an exceptional season, setting a new single-season rebound record with 451 rebounds and becoming the first WNBA player to score over 1,000 points in a season.
Aside from her impressive stats, Aces head coach Becky Hammon praised Wilson for her commitment to her team.
“We always talk about, ‘Make your teammate great, and then in the process you become the greatest,'” Hammon explained. “A’ja is…the greatest, because she’s so authentically committed to pulling greatness out of other people. She’s amazing. She’s the best player in the world, and she’s one of the best people in the world.”
Wilson, 28, now joins the ranks of WNBA legends with three MVP awards, alongside Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson. She previously won the award in 2020 and 2022.
Lynx forward Napheesa Collier finished second in the 2024 MVP voting, followed by Breanna Stewart, Caitlin Clark, and Alyssa Thomas.
Top seeds hold court in first WNBA postseason games
In the first games of the postseason, all four top-seeded WNBA teams secured victories without any upsets. Notably, New York guard Courtney Vandersloot made history with her 365th career playoff assist, breaking Sue Bird’s record in the Liberty’s win over Atlanta.
Connecticut’s Marina Mabrey scored a playoff-record 27 points off the bench in the Sun’s victory over the Fever, and Lynx forward Napheesa Collier put up 38 points in Minnesota’s win over Phoenix.
In a thrilling game, Seattle fell short against Las Vegas in the fourth quarter, allowing the Aces to secure a 78-67 win and advance.
The second round of games in the first round of the WNBA playoffs will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday, with potential third games scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
