Unreal Wilson game shows why Aces' season has been mediocre

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson. Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Unreal A'ja Wilson game shows why Aces' season has been a missed opportunity

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 12:15 AM ET

A'ja Wilson is still "Her."

In case anyone doubted because of the Las Vegas Aces' mediocre record, Wilson issued a reminder that she's the WNBA's best player with an unreal first quarter against the Los Angeles Sparks.

The three-time MVP scored 17 of the Aces' 31 first-quarter points on 8-of-8 shooting, including a make from three-point range. Wilson also contributed two rebounds, two assists and two steals as Las Vegas built a 13-point lead after one.

She got the scoring started with a bucket in the paint, where she scored 10 of her 17 points.

A’ja Wilson opens the game with a tough bucket inside

LVA-LAS | League Pass pic.twitter.com/1FcyhBvlV9
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 30, 2025

Wilson expanded her range later in the quarter with a 24-foot three from the corner after being left wide open.

The Las Vegas Aces are moving the ball side to side and A'ja Wilson has 17 of their first 26 points. pic.twitter.com/dwcDREWoNJ
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) July 30, 2025

She scored her final basket of the quarter off an offensive rebound, giving the Aces an early 23-7 advantage.

OMG. A’ja Wilson just dropped 17 PTS in the 1Q

That’s not a typo.

LVA-LAS | League Pass pic.twitter.com/7lMfkcvODE
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 30, 2025

Wilson ended the game with 34 points while shooting 16-of-23, 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks. It was her 21st career 30-point triple-double, extending her WNBA record. Las Vegas won, 89-74.

The season hasn't gone the way the Aces (14-13) hoped, but that's no fault of Wilson's. Entering Tuesday, she was averaging 21.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.6 steals per game.

Las Vegas is seventh in the standings and eight games out of first place. It hasn't finished a season more than five games back of first since 2018.

The Aces have already won two titles with Wilson, and her monster performance shows why their window is far from closed despite seemingly hitting a lull.

As long as Wilson remains at her peak, Las Vegas will be relevant. It also makes this season a missed opportunity.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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