A'ja Wilson's 26.1 PPG and Nobody in the League Is Ready For Her Fifth MVP Campaign
Alright, Seattle! Grab your coffee, because Sunday afternoon is bringing us a WNBA showdown that's got everything. The Las Vegas Aces are back on their home court at Michelob ULTRA Arena, ready to host the Golden State Valkyries, and if you haven't been paying attention to what A'ja Wilson is doing, you're missing out. This woman is on another level, piling up MVP-caliber numbers like it's a walk in the park, and the Valkyries defense, known for its grit, is about to get a serious test. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+, so cancel those Sunday plans, we've got basketball to watch!
The Aces Just Took a Shot, But They're Still Rolling
Listen, the Aces are good. Like, 11-4 overall and winners of seven out of their last eight good. But even the best teams stumble, right? They hit a speed bump on Monday, getting absolutely stunned by Dallas in a 96-66 loss. You could feel the collective groan through the league! But did they let it rattle them? Nah. Two days later, they bounced back strong, snagging an 86-76 win against Phoenix. That Phoenix game wasn't just a win, though. The Aces defense went OFF, racking up 18 steals and punching their ticket to the Commissioner's Cup Championship on June 30 against the New York Liberty. That's a statement, folks. They're still chasing hardware, and they're doing it with some serious defensive fire.
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Valkyries on Alert: Wilson's Numbers Are Bonkers
Alright, let's talk about the Valkyries. They're no slouches at 10-6 overall, and they were riding a four-game win streak until Friday, when they fell 81-75 to the Minnesota Lynx. Even in that loss, they showed serious fight against the league's top team, with Cecilia Zandalasini dropping a career-high 23 points. So, they can compete, but facing A'ja Wilson is a whole different beast. This woman already owns a WNBA-record four MVP awards, and she's not slowing down. She's leading the league in scoring at 26.1 points per game, hitting an insane 52.6% from the field. Plus, she's swatting everything in sight with a league-best 2.2 blocks per game and pulling down 9.1 rebounds, putting her in the top five. In that Phoenix game this week, she exploded for 33 points on 55% shooting, 10 rebounds, five steals, three assists, and two blocks. That was her fourth 30-point game and eighth double-double this season! Oh, and she leads all players in All-Star fan voting. She's built different, man!
These two teams have met six times, with the Aces holding a 5-1 record. The Valkyries' only win came way back in their first meeting in 2025. This season, the Aces have already taken both matchups, including an 84-79 victory in Vegas on June 6 where Wilson dropped 28 points and 14 boards, with Jackie Young adding 27. Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 27 points. And don't forget Kiah Stokes, who spent four seasons with the Aces and won three titles with them, now starting center for the Valkyries. Talk about a homecoming!
So, what's on the line for Sunday's game? For the Valkyries, it's a chance to prove they can hang with the league's elite and slow down an MVP freight train. For the Aces, it's about maintaining that momentum, especially after snagging a Commissioner's Cup berth. You know A'ja is gonna bring it, and the Valkyries defense is going to try to answer. This isn't just another regular season game, folks. This is a battle for bragging rights, momentum, and a continued statement from the league's undeniable MVP front-runner. You absolutely do not want to miss it!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.