The Las Vegas Aces are getting their MVP back, and not a moment too soon. A’ja Wilson is set to play Thursday night against the Portland Fire after sitting out the last two games with an ankle injury. The team has not confirmed the severity of the original injury, but her return suggests it was more of a precautionary rest than anything serious.
Wilson has been her usual dominant self this season. She’s averaging 25.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while shooting over 52 percent from the field. She’s also hitting 40.9 percent from three, which is sneaky good for a forward built like a tank. Blocks and steals are both north of 1.5 per game. She does it all.
The Aces have looked mortal without her. They dropped both games she missed, which is not great when you’re chasing the top seed in the league. Right now the Minnesota Lynx hold that spot, and Vegas needs every win it can get down the stretch. Wilson coming back gives them their best chance to close the gap.
Why This Matters Beyond the Box Score
Wilson isn’t just the Aces’ best player. She’s the kind of force that changes how defenses game plan — and how officials see the game. When she’s on the floor, the whole floor opens up. Her teammates get cleaner looks. The opposing bigs get into foul trouble faster. It’s a domino effect that ripples through every possession.
Portland is no pushover, especially at home. But Vegas with Wilson is a different animal than Vegas without her. The Fire will have to account for her every trip down the court. If they double her, someone like Kelsey Plum or Jackie Young gets a step. If they play her straight up, she’ll drop 30 on them.
Fans online have been tracking her status like it’s breaking news from the Pentagon. The WNBA’s social media presence has leaned hard into the “Queen Returns” narrative, and honestly, it fits. Wilson has four regular-season MVP awards and two Finals MVP trophies. The only thing missing this year is a third ring.
Scouting the Schedule Ahead
After Thursday, the Aces have a tough run of games. They face New York, Connecticut, and Seattle in the next two weeks. That’s a gauntlet, and they’ll need Wilson at full strength to survive it. Her return now means she can get a game under her belt before that stretch really heats up.
One thing to watch: Wilson’s defensive intensity early. Sometimes when players come back from a minor injury, they take it easy on the defensive end to avoid contact. Wilson isn’t usually that player. She came back from a foot injury a couple years ago and immediately swatted three shots in her first quarter. Don’t be surprised if she does something similar Thursday.
The Aces tip off at 7 PM Pacific. If you’re in Portland, expect a loud crowd. If you’re watching at home, expect the MVP to remind everyone why she’s the best in the game.
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