-
Michael Voepel
A’ja Wilson, a three-time WNBA MVP, made a remarkable comeback from a wrist injury on Saturday, delivering an impressive performance with 34 points and 16 rebounds as the Las Vegas Aces narrowly defeated the Golden State Valkyries 104-102. This marks the first instance this season where the Aces surpassed the 100-point mark in a game.
Wilson sustained a right wrist injury during the Aces’ recent 87-78 defeat against New York and was unable to participate in the following game against Washington, where the Aces fell 70-68 after conceding a late 12-2 run.
Determined to return, Wilson expressed her eagerness to play against Golden State, especially after the Valkyries previously dominated the Aces 95-68 in their earlier meeting on June 7 in San Francisco. She credited the Aces’ medical team for facilitating her swift return.
“Sitting out games is always difficult for me,” Wilson stated. “It’s challenging to stick to guidelines because my passion is to be on the court with my teammates. I’ll push through because they ensure I’m ready and comfortable.”
“Once I get into the groove, my wrist isn’t on my mind. Pain is part of the game, and I will handle it just like anyone else in this league.” Earlier in the season, Wilson was sidelined for three games due to concussion protocol.
“This year has been challenging for me, as I’ve dealt with more injuries than ever before in my career. It’s a new experience that’s helped me see the game from a different perspective,” she added.
Thankfully, as a left-handed shooter, the injury affected her non-dominant wrist. She displayed no signs of rust, completing the game with 12-of-16 shooting and converting 9-of-12 free throws. Wilson focused on rebounding, recognizing it as a weakness during the game against Washington, and contributed four assists and two blocks.
Her teammate Jackie Young also shone brightly, scoring 30 points while going 9-of-14 from the field and a perfect 11-of-11 from the charity stripe. The Aces, who have faced several ups and downs this season, now hold a record of 10-11 and have one remaining match against Dallas on Wednesday before the All-Star break. Both Wilson (as a starter) and Young (as a reserve) have secured All-Star selections.
“We were keenly aware of how the previous game went against the Valkyries,” Young remarked. “We aimed to execute our strategy effectively today. A’ja set the tone right from the beginning and maintained our momentum throughout the game.”