A’ja Wilson etched her name in WNBA history on Sunday, September 21, 2025, clinching her fourth MVP award and becoming the first player to hit that milestone. The Las Vegas Aces star outshone a stacked field, and none other than legend Lisa Leslie, one of the three players Wilson passed, was quick to shower her with love. Leslie’s warm words captured the respect of a trailblazer for a new queen, while Wilson’s big day got even sweeter with a surprise from her boyfriend, NBA star Bam Adebayo.
As the Aces gear up to face the Indiana Fever in the semifinals later today, Wilson’s record-breaking moment is the talk of the town. From Leslie’s heartfelt nod to Adebayo’s trophy handoff, it’s clear Wilson’s not just dominating on the court—she’s winning hearts across the basketball world.
Lisa Leslie Was All Praise For A’ja Wilson For Breaking Her WNBA MVP Record
Lisa Leslie didn’t hesitate to celebrate A’ja Wilson’s historic fourth MVP, a feat that broke the tie Leslie shared with Sheryl Swoopes and Lauren Jackson for three MVPs each. Hours before the Aces’ Game 1 tip-off against the Fever, Leslie posted on Instagram with an ESPN graphic showing her, Swoopes, and Jackson looking up at Wilson on a throne, clutching the MVP trophy.
Her caption was pure class: “Congratulations @aja22wilson I could not be more proud of you! You fought for absolutely everything you have earned!!! 💚💕 4X MVP👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽.”
Wilson’s season was a masterclass: 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.6 steals on 50.5% shooting, including a career-best 42.4% from three. She led the league in scoring and blocks, was second in rebounds, and had a 33.4 PER, the highest in the WNBA. Her third Defensive Player of the Year award, shared with Alanna Smith, sealed her case.
Wilson’s impact was undeniable, turning the Aces from a 14-14 midseason mess into a 16-0 regular-season finish, tying for the No. 2 seed with a 30-14 record. Basketball journalist Nekias Duncan pointed out her +12.1 net rating on the floor versus -16.9 when she sat, a stat that screams MVP. Leslie, a two-time champ and Olympic gold medalist, knows what it takes, and her heartfelt post shows she sees Wilson as the new standard.
A’ja Wilson Got Special Surprise From NBA Boyfriend Bam Adebayo
Wilson’s MVP day got an extra dose of sweetness when her boyfriend, Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo, rolled into the Aces’ training facility with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to present her trophy. In a video that’s got fans swooning, Wilson’s teammates hyped her up as Adebayo walked in, trophy in hand, catching her off guard with a huge grin. The moment was pure joy, with Wilson visibly emotional as she hugged Adebayo, who’s been her low-key partner since romance rumors sparked before the 2024 Paris Olympics and she confirmed their relationship on Valentine’s Day 2025.
WNBA broadcasters got a kick out of it, joking that Wilson’s the “better half” of the power couple, and fans on X ate it up, posting, “Bam handing A’ja the MVP trophy? That’s love and basketball fr” and “They’re running the NBA and WNBA!” Adebayo, a three-time All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year himself, knows a thing or two about shining under pressure, making the gesture even more special.
Wilson’s playoff numbers—29.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.3 steals, and two blocks on 55.4% shooting against Seattle—show she’s locked in for the Fever series. Sophie Cunningham, sidelined for Indiana, called Wilson the league’s best on a recent podcast, warning her team’s got their work cut out. With the Aces’ 18-game win streak and a healthy roster against a banged-up Fever squad missing Clark, Cunningham, and others, Wilson’s poised to keep her foot on the gas. Leslie’s praise and Adebayo’s surprise are just the start—Wilson’s chasing another ring, and she’s got the whole basketball world watching.
