A’ja Wilson Is the LeBron James of the WNBA, Says Sophie Cunningham
Sophie Cunningham has described A’ja Wilson as the “LeBron James of the WNBA” after the Las Vegas Aces star helped knock the Indiana Fever out of the playoffs.
Cunningham, who plays for the Fever, made the comments after a heated moment between Wilson and a Fever fan during Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Wilson was seen pointing at the fan during the exchange. Some fans felt the incident could have led to a suspension, but the WNBA took no such action.
Cunningham believes Wilson received special treatment because of her status in the league.
“She’s like the LeBron James of our league, so of course they’re not going to suspend her,” Cunningham said.
She added that she still wanted Wilson to play because having the league’s best players on the court makes the game better.
“I think that makes for good basketball,” Cunningham said.
Wilson answers on the court
Wilson responded in the best way possible — with a huge performance.
With the Aces facing a must-win Game 3, the four-time MVP scored 36 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as Las Vegas beat Indiana 94-83.
Wilson shot 11 of 18 from the field and helped the Aces eliminate Caitlin Clark and the Fever from the playoffs.
The win sent Las Vegas into the WNBA semi-finals, where they will face the Golden State Valkyries in a best-of-five series. The other semi-final will see the New York Liberty face the Atlanta Dream.
WNBA semi-final fixtures
The semi-finals begin on Sunday, 4 October.
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Las Vegas Aces vs Golden State Valkyries — Game 1: Sunday, 4 October
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Las Vegas Aces vs Golden State Valkyries — Game 2: Wednesday, 7 October
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Golden State Valkyries vs Las Vegas Aces — Game 3: Friday, 9 October
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Las Vegas Aces vs Golden State Valkyries — Game 4: Sunday, 11 October, if needed
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Golden State Valkyries vs Las Vegas Aces — Game 5: Wednesday, 14 October, if needed
The other semi-final is:
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New York Liberty vs Atlanta Dream — Game 1: Sunday, 4 October
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Game 2: Wednesday, 7 October
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Game 3: Friday, 9 October
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Game 4: Sunday, 11 October, if needed
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Game 5: Wednesday, 14 October, if needed
The Aces will now rely heavily on Wilson as they look to reach the WNBA Finals again.
For Cunningham and Indiana, however, the season is over. The Fever will have to wait for another chance, while Wilson and the Aces continue their title push.
