The USA Ladies’s Senior Nationwide Workforce captured the gold medal in opposition to France with out middle A’ja Wilson, who mentioned her choice to take a seat out was about defending her long-term well being.
USA defeated France 97-79 on Sept. 13, profitable its fifth consecutive World Cup title and twelfth general. Wilson and guard Kelsey Plum had been dominated out of World Cup play on Aug. 31, with Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron changing them on the roster.
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Wilson, who acquired criticism for her choice, spoke to the media Sept. 15 and defined that she was centered on her well being and needed to verify she may play at 100%.
“It was caring for my physique and what I wanted to do,” Wilson mentioned.
“This ball goes to cease bouncing ultimately, and I need to guarantee that I a minimum of be ok with that. And if I can not give myself 100%, I really feel like I robbed not solely my teammates however sporting that uniform, that USA uniform,” she added.
Wilson Returns to Aces With MVP Race Ready
The Las Vegas Aces entered the worldwide break 27-13 and went 6-4 over their remaining 10 video games earlier than the pause. Las Vegas sits third within the league standings and has a chance to repeat as WNBA champion.
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Wilson, the favourite within the 2026 WNBA MVP race, has carried the Aces in scoring this season.
She leads the league at 26.0 factors per sport and ranks among the many high 5 with 9.4 rebounds per sport. The South Carolina product additionally leads the WNBA with 2.0 blocks per sport.
Wilson is in place to win a historic fifth MVP award, one thing no participant has finished within the WNBA or NBA.
When Workforce USA introduced Wilson would miss the World Cup, journalist Linda Cohn questioned whether or not the Aces middle withdrew due to potential insecurities linked to protect Caitlin Clark.
Clark made her senior crew debut, averaging 7.8 factors, 5.3 assists, and a pair of.2 rebounds per sport.
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Wilson, in the meantime, has an intensive résumé in worldwide competitors and has continued to supply at an MVP degree for Las Vegas.
Wilson Prioritizes Lengthy-Time period Well being
The 30-year-old middle is averaging 26.0 factors, 9.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per sport whereas lacking solely three video games this season.
Las Vegas has performed 40 video games, and Wilson has remained the centerpiece of its push towards one other championship.
The Aces lately misplaced NaLyssa Smith to a season-ending knee harm. Las Vegas signed middle Kalani Brown, who shot 37.5% from 3-point vary in 2025 as a member of the Phoenix Mercury.
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Brown provides the roster extra dimension, defensive rebounding, and an alternative choice in opposition to larger frontcourts.
Aces Start Last Common-Season Push
The WNBA season resumes Sept. 17, when Las Vegas faces the Seattle Storm.
The Aces have 4 video games remaining, and none of their remaining opponents is above .500.
If the postseason started immediately, Las Vegas would face the New York Liberty.
The Aces entered the season because the favourite to repeat as champions within the WNBA GM survey. Wilson was additionally picked because the preseason MVP favourite.
