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The Las Vegas Aces began their 2025 season by heading to Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Saturday to take on the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty. It was a matchup between the two teams that combined to win the last three league titles, and the Liberty prevailed by a final score of 92-78.
A’ja Wilson, the reigning league MVP, started off the new year right with 31 points on 11-of-22 shooting from the field and 16 rebounds for the Aces. It was her 100th career double-double, and she is just the sixth player in WNBA history to notch 100 such games.
Wilson, a 6-foot-4 center, averaged 26.9 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game last season and was named the MVP for the third time while also earning her sixth All-Star nod in her seven pro seasons.
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It was her best statistical season yet, and because of her peaking production, the Aces are expected to have a real crack at their third championship in four seasons.
A’ja Wilson lays it up against Breanna Stewart at Barclays Center.Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Wilson is also known for her defensive prowess, as she was named the Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and 2023.
But defense is one area in which Las Vegas needs to improve in order to regain the crown. It was first in defensive rating in 2023, but it fell to fifth in that category last year.
One negative for the team is the fact that Kelsey Plum has headed about six hours southwest. On Feb. 1, the three-time All-Star guard was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks, and she exploded for 37 points in her first game with her new team on Friday.
Related: George Kittle’s Two-Word Reaction to Caitlin Clark’s Historic Fever Game
