A’ja Wilson Pulls Off WNBA Playoff Feat Nobody Has Done Before

A'ja Wilson entered Thursday night with the Las Vegas Aces facing elimination. A loss to Indiana would end their title defense, while a win would send them to the next round.

Wilson had already delivered in many big playoff games. She also led the WNBA with 26.2 points per game during the 2026 regular season before Indiana forced a deciding Game 3.

A'ja Wilson Delivers With The Season On The Line

Wilson scored 36 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked two shots as Las Vegas beat Indiana 94-83. The win sent the Aces to the semifinals for the eighth straight season.

According to playoff tracking cited after the game, Wilson became the first WNBA player to score at least 30 points in three straight elimination games. She also reached 12 career playoff games with at least 30 points, another league record.

Wilson opened the series with 38 points and 16 rebounds while making 15 of 19 shots. Indiana responded by holding her to 22 points in Game 2 and winning 99-89 to force a deciding game.

Wilson made 11 of 18 shots in Game 3 to lead Las Vegas. Chelsea Gray added 23 points, while Jackie Young finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

The Numbers Behind A'ja Wilson's Playoff Performance

Wilson averaged 32 points in the series and made 62.5% of her shots. Those numbers show how consistently she scored despite Indiana's defensive pressure.

The cited tracking figures said defenders challenged 39 of her 48 shots, or about 81% of her attempts. They also listed a 79% success rate on those contested shots, but that figure conflicts with her overall shooting percentage.

Indiana still threatened to end Las Vegas' season late in Game 3. The Fever cut the lead to two with three minutes remaining, but the Aces held on behind Wilson's 36 points and 10 rebounds.

Wilson's career already includes four WNBA MVP awards, three championships and three Finals MVP awards. She also led the league in scoring for the third time this season.

Her latest record adds another first to that career. No other WNBA player has scored at least 30 points in three straight playoff games when a loss would have ended their team's season.