Wilson leaves fan drama on 'back burner,' drops 36 points as Aces oust Fever — SkimNews
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- A'ja Wilson scored 36 points with 10 rebounds in the No. 3 seed Aces' 94-83 Game 3 win over the No. 6 seed Fever on Thursday, choosing to set aside a Game 2 fan confrontation rather than use it as fuel.
- Wilson said of the time between games: 'I prayed a lot. I cried a lot,' crediting teammates, friends, and Bible verses for helping her refocus.
- Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young each played the full 40 minutes at coach Becky Hammon's instruction, combining for 41 points, 12 assists, and 12 rebounds alongside Wilson's 37 minutes.
- The Aces advanced to the WNBA semifinals for the eighth straight season and are seeking a fourth title, which would tie them with the Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, and Houston Comets.
- Caitlin Clark finished with 18 points, Kelsey Mitchell had 23, and Aliyah Boston added 19 for Indiana, which closed within 82-80 with three minutes left before a failed challenge swung momentum back to Las Vegas.
- Wilson is expected to be named WNBA MVP for the fifth time, according to the report, and the Aces will face the winner of the Dallas-Golden State series next.
Why it matters: The Aces' eighth straight semifinal trip cements their status as the WNBA's defining dynasty of the past half-decade, and a fourth title would pull them into a tie for the most championships in league history. Wilson's willingness to publicly discuss her emotional reset — rather than weaponize the fan incident — reframes a potential distraction into a leadership moment for a team built around her.
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