A'ja Wilson wins record fifth WNBA MVP, opts out of pre-game ceremony

A'ja Wilson has won the WNBA's Most Valuable Player award for a record fifth time, becoming the first player in league history to claim it in three consecutive seasons. The league announced the Las Vegas Aces center-forward's selection on October 8, adding the 2026 honor to her awards from 2020, 2022, 2024 and 2025.

Watch the highlights:

The WNBA said Wilson received 65 first-place votes and nine second-place votes from a 74-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, finishing with 713 points. Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles was runner-up on 442 points. Indiana Fever guards Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark finished third and fourth respectively, with New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart fifth.

Wilson averaged 26.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists across 41 games, according to the league. She topped the scoring averages for a third successive season and led the WNBA in blocks per game for a fifth consecutive year, averaging 1.9. Las Vegas finished the regular season with a 31-13 record and the third playoff seed.

But the 30-year-old does not intend to take part in the ceremony planned to celebrate her achievement on Friday, BBC Sport reported. Wilson said she would instead be warming up with her teammates. The Aces trail the Golden State Valkyries 2-0 in their best-of-five semi-final, leaving them facing elimination in Game 3.

BBC Sport reported that previous celebrations had been followed by defeats: Las Vegas lost its semi-final opener after Wilson's MVP ceremony last year and suffered a heavy loss after receiving championship rings in May. Wilson's decision keeps her with the team before another consequential game, despite a personal milestone no other WNBA player has reached.

Wilson learned of the award through a voice message from former US vice-president Kamala Harris, according to BBC Sport, and became emotional at the Aces' practice court. She described achievements that had exceeded her teenage ambitions. Her five MVP awards sit alongside three league championships with Las Vegas, all won within the past four years.