The Las Vegas Aces broke the news headlines. Not just for advancing to the WNBA Semifinals, but moreover, for their veteran guard, A’ja Wilson winning the WNBA MVP award for a historic fourth time.
The Aces star outshone a stacked field, and none other than legend Lisa Leslie, one of the three players Wilson passed, was quick to shower her with love. Leslie was one of the impromptu speakers to give the star center her flowers.
Lisa Leslie Was All Praise For A’ja Wilson For Breaking Her WNBA MVP Record
It was a dreamy season written with golden words for Wilson. She turned the Aces from a 14-14 midseason mess into a 16-0 regular-season finish, tying for the No. 2 seed with a 30-14 record. However, much credit to the stat line, she got heartfelt praise from the game’s veteran.
Once the league made it official, Leslie didn’t hesitate to celebrate Wilson’s historic fourth MVP, a feat that broke the tie Leslie shared with Sheryl Swoopes and Lauren Jackson for three MVPs each. Hours before the Aces’ Game 1 tip-off against the Fever, Leslie posted on Instagram with an ESPN graphic showing her, Swoopes, and Jackson looking up at Wilson on a throne, clutching the MVP trophy.
“Congratulations @aja22wilson I could not be more proud of you! You fought for absolutely everything you have earned!!! 4X MVP,” she captioned the Instagram post.
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However, Wilson’s season was a masterclass. Throughout the season, she scored 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.6 steals on 50.5% shooting on an average, including a career-best 42.4% from three. She led the league in scoring and blocks, was second in rebounds, and had a 33.4 PER, the highest in the WNBA.
A’ja Wilson Got Special Surprise From NBA Boyfriend Bam Adebayo
Wilson’s MVP day got an extra dose of sweetness when her boyfriend, Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo, rolled into the Aces’ training facility with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to present her trophy.
In a video that’s got fans swooning, Wilson’s teammates hyped her up as Adebayo walked in, trophy in hand, catching her off guard with a huge grin. The moment was pure joy, with Wilson visibly emotional as she hugged Adebayo, who’s been her low-key partner since romance rumors sparked before the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Though she confirmed their relationship on Valentine’s Day 2025, earlier, WNBA broadcasters got a kick out of it, joking that Wilson’s the “better half” of the power couple, and fans on social media ate it up.