After narrowly missing out on the regular season MVP, A’ja Wilson silenced all her critics by winning the WNBA Finals MVP title. Wilson led the Las Vegas Aces to win their second consecutive WNBA championship. The Aces’ 3-1 series victory over the New York Liberty is more impressive due to the fact that players like Chelsea Gray and Kiah Stokes were out with injuries.
After the first quarter, Las Vegas was short by double-digit. However, under Wilson’s leadership, the team made an outstanding comeback in the third quarter and maintained their calm throughout the tense final minutes of the game. Their achievement of consecutive titles makes it the first time in over 20 years this has happened in the WNBA. Previously it was the 2001-2002 LA Sparks led by Lisa Leslie.
“Signature shoe coming!!” LeBron James wrote on his Instagram stories. “I mean what we talking about! Congrats @aja22wilson.”
“Sis is the TRUTH! Signature shoe coming!!”
LeBron James congratulates A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces on back-to-back WNBA titles 🏆
(via @KingJames / IG) pic.twitter.com/UL3wvI8W2h
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 19, 2023
NBA superstar LeBron James didn’t miss the opportunity to praise Wilson for her performance. Using his Instagram account, James congratulated the Finals MVP and also hinted at a potential signature shoe collaboration with Nike for the Aces’ star.
A’ja Wilson wears ‘LeBron 21’ PE’s during WNBA Finals MVP win, gifted by LeBron James
In the WNBA Finals, Wilson showed more than just her basketball prowess. The forward for the Aces caught everyone’s attention by wearing a stunning pair of Nike LeBron 21 PE shoes during the game. These shoes are valued at approximately $200 and they perfectly suited her domination on the court in Game 4 as she scored 24 points and secured 16 rebounds.
Wilson’s amazing series numbers, which included an average of 21.2 points and 12.5 rebounds highlight her undeniable talent on the court. But apart from her scoring and rebounding skills, Wilson has also made her name as a defensive player as she won the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year title last month.
What’s the story behind Wilson’s shoes? Earlier this month, LeBron James, a 19-time NBA All-Star gifted the Aces forward with his latest Nike signature shoes. According to Nick Hamilton of SiriusXM, James expressed his admiration for Wilson: “A’ja [Wilson] is my little sister, and I love what she has been able to do not just for the game of basketball itself but for the WNBA.”
LeBron and several Lakers are expected to be in attendance in the Aces vs. Liberty WNBA Finals Game 1 matchup in Las Vegas. The King calls A’ja Wilson his “little sister” and said “I hope she brings it home.”
Lakers face the Nets in Las Vegas on October 9.
(via @Andraya_Carter) pic.twitter.com/pyjMVgLSnF
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 6, 2023
“For all the little girls around the world that look up to her as an inspiration.” James added. “Her accolades speak for themselves, all the way from high school to South Carolina all the way up to the Las Vegas Aces.”
Such mutual respect between NBA and WNBA players shows unity and shared passion for the sport. It bridges the gap between the two leagues and emphasizes that it’s basketball that matters.