Aces' A'ja Wilson wins 2023 WNBA Finals MVP

With Wednesday's win over the New York Liberty, the Aces became the first team to win back-to-back WNBA titles since the Sparks in 2001 and 2002. 

Wilson led Las Vegas with 24 points and 16 rebounds during Wednesday's 70-69 victory over New York. She hit 11 of her 21 shots from the floor while earning one steal and one block. Guard Jackie Young added 16 points and seven assists in 37 minutes of play.

Wilson continued to pave her path to greatness even before the start of the 2023 WNBA Finals.

Wilson won the league's Defensive Player of the Year award for the second season in a row last September. She was among the three unanimous selections for the 2023 All-WNBA First Team, joining Liberty forward Breanna Stewart and Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas. 

Wilson won two WNBA MVP selections in 2020 and 2022. The five-time All-Star played a key role in guiding Las Vegas to a championship in 2022. She averaged 20 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 2.5 blocks per game in the four-game series win over the Sun.

"It just takes a lot of pride, understanding where I am and knowing the personnel," Wilson said of her defense, via ESPN women's college and pro basketball writer Michael Voepel. "I like to take that challenge of 'Can I guard a 5? Can I guard a 1?' I try to go out there and prove it every time.

"I'm not trying to be the world's best (shot-blocker), but if I can contain to help my guards or force a missed shot, I'm happy with that. People always say defense starts with the heart. I try to have as much heart as I can."