A’ja Wilson breaks Diana Taurasi’s playoff record, eyes more history
SPORTS
A’ja Wilson continues to add to her legacy after breaking multiple WNBA postseason records.
Fresh off her record-breaking fifth MVP award, the Las Vegas Aces center hit another milestone in her ninth season. On Friday, she surpassed Diana Taurasi’s postseason record of 489 made field goals, becoming No. 1 on the all-time list for the most baskets made in the playoffs. Wilson now has 490 baskets and counting as the Aces seek to avoid elimination in Game 3 of their semifinals matchup with the Golden State Valkyries.
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Wilson notched the history-making bucket — her trademarked mid-range jumper — after an assist from Jackie Young with 5:28 remaining in the first quarter.
She also has the chance to record another more milestones against Golden State. Wilson (130 blocks) needs three blocks to pass Lisa Leslie (132 blocks) to become the all-time blocks leader in WNBA playoff history. She’s also 12 points away from passing Sue Bird (6,803 points), who is currently 10th on the league’s all-time career points list. With 20 points Friday, Wilson could also surpass Cappie Pondexter (6,811 points), who is ninth on the all-time points list.
“I’m not satisfied, but I am so grateful, and I’m so blessed to be able to do what I do,” Wilson said. ”Yes, my resume, hopefully, continues (to be) long, and I love this, but I don’t want to lose fun and the joy of this game.
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“I’m grateful to be able to have my name alongside of (the) other greats that played all different (kinds) of sports. Just to say that you’re one of the greats, I think it just goes a long way in itself.”
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A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces gestures after hitting a 3-pointer against the Seattle Storm in the third quarter of their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on June 08, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Storm 101-91.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces gestures after hitting a 3-pointer against the Seattle Storm in the third quarter of their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on June 08, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Storm 101-91.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson #22 of the South Carolina Gamecocks shoots against Brianna Turner #11 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first half during the NCAA Women’s Final Four Semifinal at Amalie Arena on April 5, 2015 in Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson #22 of the South Carolina Gamecocks goes up against Brianna Turner #11 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half during the NCAA Women’s Final Four Semifinal at Amalie Arena on April 5, 2015 in Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson #22 of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts to their 65 to 66 loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the NCAA Women’s Final Four Semifinal at Amalie Arena on April 5, 2015 in Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)
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Teaira McCowan #15 of the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs battles for the tip-off with A’ja Wilson #22 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Women’s Final Four at American Airlines Center on April 2, 2017 in Dallas, Texas.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson #22 and head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks hold the NCAA trophy and celebrates with their team after winning the championship game against the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs of the 2017 NCAA Women’s Final Four at American Airlines Center on April 2, 2017 in Dallas, Texas.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson #22 of the South Carolina Gamecocks wipes away her tears as her coach Dawn Staley is interviewed after their win over the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Women’s Final Four at American Airlines Center on April 2, 2017 in Dallas, Texas.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
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A’Ja Wilson #9 of Team United States bites her gold medal during the Women’s Basketball medal ceremony on day sixteen of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games at Saitama Super Arena on August 08, 2021 in Saitama, Japan.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
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USA’s A’ja Wilson dives for the ball in the women’s preliminary round group B basketball match between Nigeria and USA during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on July 27, 2021.
(THOMAS COEX, AFP via Getty Images)
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A’Ja Wilson #9 of Team United States celebrates a win over Japan in the Women’s Basketball final game on day sixteen of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games at Saitama Super Arena on August 08, 2021 in Saitama, Japan.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Jonquel Jones #35 of Team WNBA looks to pass against Aja Wilson #9 of the USA Women’s National Team during the 2021 WNBA All-Star Game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on July 14, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Team WNBA defeated the USA Women’s National Team 93-85.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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A’Ja Wilson #9 of Team United States drives to the basket against Team Japan during the first half of the Women’s Basketball final game on day sixteen of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games at Saitama Super Arena on Aug. 8, 2021 in Saitama, Japan.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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A’Ja Wilson #9 of Team United States shoots against Yuki Miyazawa #52 of Team Japan during the first half of the Women’s Basketball final game on day sixteen of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games at Saitama Super Arena on Aug. 8, 2021, in Saitama, Japan.
(Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images)
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Las Vegas Aces forward Aja Wilson (22) shoots the ball against the Connecticut Sun during the second quarter in game one of the 2022 WNBA Finals at Michelob Ultra Arena.
(Lucas Peltier, USA TODAY Sports)
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Teaira McCowan #7 of the Dallas Wings is defended by A’ja Wilson #22 and Kiah Stokes #41 of the Las Vegas Aces in the second quarter of Game Two of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 26, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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Team Wilson frontcourt Cheyenne Parker (32) and frontcourt Aja Wilson (22) celebrate after scoring against Team Stewart during the second half of the 2023 WNBA All-Star Game at Michelob Ultra Arena.
(Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports)
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A’ja Wilson goes to the basket past Australia’s #13 Ezi Magbegor in the women’s semifinal basketball match between USA and Australia during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 9, 2024.
(PAUL ELLIS, AFP via Getty Images)
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Portrait of Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson. Wilson is a two-time NBA champion and will be part of the USA National Basketball Team competing at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, Photographed at the Ace’s training complex in Henderson, NV.
(Robert Hanashiro,USA TODAY)
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Gold medalist A’Ja Wilson #9 of Team United States poses for a photo during the Women’s basketball medal ceremony on day sixteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France.
(Elsa, Getty Images)
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WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (L) presents A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces with the 2024 WNBA MVP award during a news conference before Game One of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs first round between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 22, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Wilson was the unanimous winner of the award, which she also won in 2020 and 2022.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces is filmed by Digital Edge Media Group and 3 Point Productions for an in-arena player intro video for the upcoming season’s home games during the team’s media day at Vu Studios on May 08, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever looks on with A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces during the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces arrives at Michelob ULTRA Arena for a game against the Atlanta Dream on August 19, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx in the first quarter of their game at T-Mobile Arena on September 04, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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Jewell Loyd #24 and A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces react after Loyd hit a 3-pointer against the Chicago Sky in the third quarter of their game at T-Mobile Arena on September 07, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Sky 80-66.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts after her made basket against the Phoenix Mercury with less than one second left in the fourth quarter of Game Three of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 08, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces makes the go ahead basket against the Phoenix Mercury with less than one second left in the fourth quarter of Game Three of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 08, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after winning Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Las Vegas Aces defeat the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 to win the championship.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates with head coach Becky Hammon after winning Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Las Vegas Aces defeat the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 to win the championship.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates with the Most Valuable Player award after winning Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Las Vegas Aces defeat the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 to win the championship.
(Chris Coduto, Getty Images)
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US basketball player A’ja Wilson, Time magazine’s 2025 Athlete of the Year, attends TIME’s “A Year in TIME” celebration in New York on December 10, 2025.
(CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, AFP via Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson attends the 2026 Met Gala celebrating “Costume Art” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images for The Met Museum/)
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A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces wears her three WNBA championship rings after receiving the 2025 ring during a ceremony before the team’s home opener against the Phoenix Mercury at T-Mobile Arena on May 09, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Mercury defeated the Aces 99-66.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces grabs a rebound against Courtney Williams #10 and Olivia Miles #5 of the Minnesota Lynx in the second quarter of their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on June 13, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts after scoring a basket and drawing a foul against the New York Liberty in the fourth quarter of their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on July 30, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Liberty 104-99.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts after scoring a basket and drawing a foul against the Washington Mystics in the fourth quarter of their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on August 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Mystics 86-76.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts after her basket against the Seattle Storm during the second half at Climate Pledge Arena on September 17, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever in the first quarter of Game Three of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs first round at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 01, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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(L-R) WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Brianna Turner #21 and Kierstan Bell #1 of the Las Vegas Aces look on as A’ja Wilson #22 of the Aces listens to a prerecorded message from former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris informing Wilson that she is the recipient of the 2026 WNBA MVP award, her third consecutive and fifth career trophy, after a team walkthrough at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 8, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Wilson captured her previous MVP awards in the 2020, 2022, 2024, and 2025 seasons.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
This season, the Aces superstar led the league in scoring (26.2 points per game) and blocks (9.4 per game) as she powered her team to the playoffs in her eighth straight postseason appearance.
Wilson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft, has a career that’s loaded with accolades. In addition to her five MVP honors, the eight-time All-Star has three WNBA championships (2022, 2023, 2025), two Finals MVP trophies (2023, 2025) and three Defensive Player of the Year awards (2022, 2023, 2025). Last year, Wilson became the first player in WNBA history to win a title, Finals MVP, league MVP and DPOY in the same season.
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