Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson won a record fifth Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the 2026 season, becoming the first player in league history to claim the honor three consecutive times.
The 30-year-old American extended her own record for the most MVP awards, having previously won the honor in 2020, 2022, 2024 and 2025.
Wilson averaged 26.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game during the regular season.
Her scoring average ranked second in WNBA history behind her own record of 26.9 points per game, set in 2024.
She also became the first player in league history to average at least 25 points per game while shooting 50% or better from the field and 40% or better from three-point range.
Wilson helped Las Vegas finish the regular season with seven consecutive victories and a 31-13 record, securing the No. 3 seed in the playoffs.
The Aces, trailing the Golden State Valkyries 2-0 in their best-of-five semifinal series, face elimination in Friday's Game 3 in Las Vegas.
Although the team planned a pregame ceremony to honor her achievement, Wilson said she would not participate, preferring to focus on preparing for the game.
"I love the fans, but I will not be doing that," Wilson said.
"I will be warming up with my team. ... Everyone in this room knows how much of a competitor I am and what my main focus is."