A'ja Wilson's brilliance continues to expose the Aces' biggest flaw

High Post Hoops · Jul 21, 2026 13:00 · 3 min read

A'ja Wilson's brilliance continues to expose the Aces' biggest flaw — Portland, Oregon, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) looks on prior to the game against the Portland Fire at Moda Center on July 9, 2026. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Las Vegas Aces could live to regret A'ja Wilson's dominance over the WNBA.

Another night, another stunning performance from A'ja Wilson. It is becoming increasingly difficult to argue with the superstar's status as the WNBA's greatest-ever player, and my word, don't the Las Vegas Aces know it. Time and time again, Wilson dominates in every aspect of the game, but it is now glaringly obvious that without their two-way talisman, the Aces are far from a championship contender.

Wilson was unstoppable as she led the Aces to a dominant 108-83 victory over the Toronto Tempo -- recording 26 points, six rebounds, four assists, and four blocks, while shooting 78.6% from the floor and draining all three of her 3-point attempts.

Of course, nobody is going to refuse an era-defining star like A'ja Wilson on their roster, but it is becoming abundantly clear that this relationship relies on the South Carolina legend outperforming her teammates in every analytic. Is this really a sustainable way to mount a title charge?

Las Vegas Aces are an A'ja Wilson injury away from disaster

Becky Hammon, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young all deserve immense credit for the Las Vegas Aces' success in recent years. Each person named has bought into a culture greater than themselves, leading to WNBA dominance that fans may never witness again. However, while this trio deserves their plaudits, without A'ja Wilson the Aces would not be the historic franchise they are today.

Six years on from her first WNBA title, Wilson is still the star of the show, but at this point, it isn't cohesive genius that allows Las Vegas' superstar to shine; it is individual brilliance. From a neutral perspective, watching one player perform at an otherworldly level is breathtaking. Nevertheless, when a team pledges so much trust in one player, it can see its season's ambitions unravel with just an ounce of bad luck.

Heading into the All-Star break, the 29-year-old is leading Las Vegas in four different categories -- points (25.6), rebounds (9.6), steals (1.5), and blocks (2). Not only is Wilson scoring at an MVP level, but her defensive production will catapult her to the summit of the Defensive Player of the Year rankings. If a player of this stature is taken out of a starting lineup, the final result is never going to be pretty.

It's simple: there is no easy way to replicate what A'ja Wilson can produce on a nightly basis. However, while this is something that places the 2025 MVP among the greatest players ever, the Las Vegas Aces must realise what is at stake here. Their overreliance on one star will eventually be their downfall. Without A'ja, there is no championship.