They say champions find a way to rise when it matters most, and the Las Vegas Aces have proved it. They are back in the game, and their quest for a three-peat is very much alive. After a rocky start in the WNBA Semifinals, where they dropped the first two games against the New York Liberty, the Aces clinched a crucial 95-81 victory in Game 3. And A’ja Wilson carried the win on her back.

When asked why she refused to take a breather during the game, the MVP told ESPN, “You cannot sit down in a game like this. This is an elimination game. I cannot sit down; that’s looking like giving up. That’s looking like quitting to me. So, I knew I had to come and be who I just needed to be for my team and make sure we understood what we needed to do here at home.”

It was only during the final 3 and 4 minutes of the 3rd and 4th quarters respectively that Wilson took to the sideline. This would mark a total of 33 playing minutes for A’ja, helping fuel the Aces’ momentum as they went on a 17-0 run in the third quarter to take control of the game. The entire game itself showcased the previous champions’s dominance, with Wilson scoring 19 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Alongside her, Jackie Young also poured in a game-high 24 points, including four three-pointers. 

And let’s not forget about Chelsea Gray, who had 12 assists. The Aces shot an impressive 49.5% from the field and 38.5% from the three-point range. On the flip side, the Liberty was no slouch, either. Breanna Stewart matched Wilson’s scoring with 19 points and contributed 6 rebounds. However, their defensive lapses in the second half proved costly, allowing the Aces to exploit mismatches. And this win keeps up their three-peat hopes. 

A’ja Wilson stands by her words

Looking back, the Aces faced tough losses in Games 1 and 2, with disappointing performances. In Game 1, they struggled with shooting, hitting only 36% from the field, while the Liberty capitalized on every mistake. Game 2 wasn’t much better; the Aces shot just 37% and had 19 turnovers. But if there’s one thing we know about A’ja Wilson and Co., it’s that they have a knack for making the impossible possible.

“And one thing I know for sure is that sometimes when our backs are against the wall, that’s what we really break loose and shine the brightest, so it’s gonna be a good one,” Wilson had said during the warmups and they live by it; once again. 

In the 2020 semifinals, they fought tooth and nail against the Connecticut Sun, coming back from a 2-1 series to make it to the finals. A’ja was the hero, leading the team in scoring and rebounds with an average of 20.8 points and 8.9 rebounds. And this time, Wilson became the backbone of the Aces once again. In the regular season, she averaged 26.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game.

And she truly gave her all in the recent Game 3. As the series remains in Vegas for Game 4 on Oct. 6, 2024, the Aces are in form, but they know the challenge is far from over. With A’ja leading the charge, you can bet they’ll be prepared to fight for another shot at the title!