A’ja Wilson injury update: Aces star suffers injury after nasty fall, status vs. Liberty revealed

Las Vegas Aces fans held their breath Tuesday night after a terrifying moment involving A’ja Wilson, the reigning WNBA MVP and franchise cornerstone, who went down hard following a mid-air collision late in the third quarter of the team’s win over the Minnesota Lynx. The fall was awkward, the landing worse, and for several tense minutes, Wilson remained on the court clutching her left leg—sparking fear across the arena and throughout the WNBA community.

After being helped off the floor and evaluated by the Aces’ medical staff, the immediate fear of a season-ending injury began to subside. On Wednesday afternoon, the Las Vegas Aces released a statement, providing clarity on Wilson’s condition and her status ahead of the team’s upcoming showdown with the New York Liberty.

According to the Aces’ medical team, A’ja Wilson sustained a left ankle sprain—not a fracture or ligament tear, as initially feared. While it’s being classified as a “moderate sprain”, the team emphasized that imaging results were “encouraging” and that no structural damage was found in the joint or surrounding ligaments.

“We’re thankful that the injury is not more serious,” said head coach Becky Hammon. “A’ja is in good spirits and already working with our trainers to return as soon as possible.”

Wilson will be listed as questionable for Thursday’s highly anticipated matchup with the New York Liberty at Michelob ULTRA Arena, a battle between two of the WNBA’s elite squads and a potential Finals preview. However, the team made clear that no decision will be made until gameday, as they continue to monitor swelling and mobility.

The injury occurred with 1:52 left in the third quarter, when Wilson elevated for a contested rebound and collided midair with Lynx forward Dorka Juhász. While the contact appeared incidental, Wilson lost balance and came down awkwardly, her left ankle bending unnaturally as she hit the hardwood.

The arena fell silent as trainers rushed to her side. After several minutes of evaluation, Wilson stood briefly before being helped to the locker room, unable to put full weight on the injured leg. She did not return to the game.

Television replays showed the angle of the fall, sparking concern from analysts and former players alike. ESPN’s Andraya Carter noted, “That’s the kind of play where you hold your breath. A’ja means everything to this team—not just as a scorer but as their leader.”

Despite the injury, the Aces held on for a 78–71 win over Minnesota, thanks in large part to a late surge from Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young. But in postgame interviews, the locker room’s focus was squarely on their injured star.

“We’re going to rally for her,” said Young. “That’s our sister. If she’s out for a bit, we have to hold it down until she’s back. But man, we want her out there.”

Head coach Becky Hammon echoed those sentiments, stating, “We’re going to be cautious and smart. A’ja is our engine, and we’re not going to rush anything.”

Wilson’s status looms large, especially with the Aces set to face the New York Liberty, a team they’ve developed a fierce rivalry with over the past two seasons. The Liberty, led by Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, sit just one game behind the Aces in the WNBA standings, making Thursday’s clash critical in the race for homecourt advantage in the playoffs.

If Wilson sits, the Aces will have to lean heavily on Plum, Young, and center Kiah Stokes, who will likely be tasked with slowing down Stewart. Veteran Candace Parker, still easing back into action after her own injury absence, could also see an uptick in minutes if medically cleared.

In Wilson’s absence last season (she missed three games due to a non-COVID illness), the Aces went 2–1—but their offensive and defensive efficiency dropped significantly.

A’ja’s Season So Far

Prior to the injury, Wilson was once again playing at an MVP level. Through 20 games, she was averaging:

• 22.7 points per game
• 9.6 rebounds
• 2.3 blocks
• 1.8 assists
• 54% FG shooting

She led the league in Player Efficiency Rating (PER), defensive win shares, and was anchoring the Aces’ top-ranked defense. Her chemistry with teammates, especially in high-low sets with Parker and quick-drives with Plum, had made Las Vegas the league’s most potent offensive unit.

Analysts widely regarded her as the frontrunner for a third MVP award, and her leadership has been cited as a major reason the Aces remained the WNBA’s top team through the midpoint of the season.

“She’s the best player in the world right now,” said WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes last week. “She controls every possession. She dictates outcomes.”

Across the WNBA, players and coaches reacted to the injury with a mixture of concern and relief.

Breanna Stewart, Wilson’s longtime rival and Team USA teammate, posted on social media shortly after the fall:

“Prayers up for @aja22wilson. Hoping it’s nothing serious. The game needs you.”

Other stars, including Nneka Ogwumike, Arike Ogunbowale, and Chelsea Gray, echoed similar sentiments, underscoring Wilson’s impact on the league as both a competitor and ambassador.

Her injury—and the collective response—highlight how central Wilson has become to the WNBA’s identity. She’s not just a superstar; she’s the face of the league, a leader in community initiatives, and a role model to young athletes everywhere.

The Aces medical staff will re-evaluate Wilson ahead of Thursday’s tip-off, with decisions hinging on mobility testing, pain tolerance, and swelling management. If she does not play, the team could hold her out for additional games to ensure long-term health as the postseason looms.

Las Vegas has a favorable schedule following the Liberty game, including matchups against struggling teams like Dallas and Indiana, providing an opportunity to rest Wilson if needed.

Still, Wilson is known for her competitive fire, and it’s unlikely she’ll sit unless the team deems it absolutely necessary.

“If she can walk, she’ll want to play,” said Coach Hammon. “But we’re going to do what’s best for her, and for us long-term.”

Aces fans, while shaken by the injury, have shown overwhelming support. Social media was flooded with messages like:

• “Please protect A’ja at all costs.”
• “Sit her out if needed—just get her back healthy for playoffs.”
• “We ride with A’ja no matter what. She’s our queen.”

With Wilson likely sidelined or limited in the immediate future, the rest of the Aces’ roster will need to step up—especially defensively. Players like Alysha Clark and Kierstan Bell may see increased roles, while the coaching staff could experiment with smaller, faster lineups to maintain spacing and pace.

The fall looked frightening. The silence in the arena was deafening. But as of now, the Aces and their fans have avoided the worst-case scenario.

A’ja Wilson’s ankle sprain, while a setback, is not a season-ending injury. She remains listed as day-to-day, with her status for the Liberty game to be determined at shootaround.

Whether she plays or not on Thursday, the Aces—and the league—can breathe a little easier knowing their brightest star is on the path to recovery.

For now, the WNBA world watches and waits, hopeful for a swift return of the game’s most dynamic force.

A’ja Wilson is down, but not out.