A'ja Wilson wins record fifth MVP as first three-peat in WNBA history strengthens all-time greatness case
A’ja Wilson becomes the WNBA’s first five‑time MVP, cementing her status among the league’s elite
Las Vegas, Nev. – On Thursday night the Las Vegas Aces’ star forward A’ja Wilson made history in the WNBA by being named the league’s most valuable player for the fifth time. The honor, awarded by the WNBA’s player‑voted ballot, also makes Wilson the first woman to win three straight MVP awards—a record that places her in the same rarefied company as NBA legends Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar and Michael Jordan.
Wilson, who has played for the Aces since 2020, tallied a career‑high 26.2 points per game during the regular season, the league’s top scoring average. She also posted 79 blocks, the most in the league, and ranked among the top five rebounders with a 6.5‑average. “I’m so grateful that I can share these moments with so many different people,” Wilson told reporters in Las Vegas. “It’s always fun when you’re able to set the standard, and give people and yourself something to chase after.”
The Aces’ head coach, former NBA point guard Becky Hammon, praised Wilson’s sustained excellence. “Because you can be a really talented and skilled basketball player and not win as much as she has, and not become as individually great as she has,” Hammon said. She added, “(I said) take her off Mount Rushmore – she’s Everest. Now I’m taking her off Everest, and I have to put her on a different planet. She just has all of it.”
Wilson’s fifth MVP title also eclipses a 30‑year streak of other greats. In 2025, her fourth award tied her with Hall of Famers Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson for most WNBA MVPs, a record previously held only by those three. Since then, her latest victory brings her past the trio who dominated the award between 2000 and 2010, a period when the trophy was almost exclusively shared among them, with Candace Parker and Diana Taurasi each winning once.
The voting results were a near‑unanimous endorsement. Wilson received all but nine of the first‑place votes. Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles finished second, taking six first‑place ballots, while Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell was third with two. Caitlin Clark of the Chicago Sky, who earned the last first‑place vote, placed fourth overall.
Beyond the MVP accolade, Wilson’s season was highlighted by a strong playoff push. The Aces entered the second round of the postseason facing the Golden State Valkyries, down 2‑0 in a best‑of‑five series. A win in Game 3, scheduled for Friday night in Las Vegas, would make the Aces the first team in league history to erase a 2‑0 deficit and force a decisive fifth game. “If Wilson leads the comeback, it would further cement her place in basketball lore,” said a league analyst.
Wilson’s career has been built on more than just scoring. She helped South Carolina claim an NCAA Division I national championship and has repeatedly shown the ability to perform in clutch moments. “She’s not just a great scorer; she’s a defensive anchor, a leader, a team player,” Hammon added.
Defensive statistics in the league also underscore the depth of talent. Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese led the WNBA with a 12.1 rebounds‑per‑game average and earned the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year honor.
Wilson’s fifth MVP award places her among the small group of basketball greats with five or more MVPs. While only three NBA players have reached that milestone, the WNBA’s record now sits at five, with Wilson at the top. The accolade is not only a personal milestone but also a statement of the league’s growing parity and the high level of competition among its players.
The Aces will look to capitalize on Wilson’s leadership as they aim to close out the series against the Valkyries. If they win Game 3, they will force a decisive Game 5 and complete a historic comeback, further adding to Wilson’s storied career.