Despite a thrilling WNBA Finals currently taking place between the Las Vegas Aces and the Phoenix Mercury, the focus remains on the ferocious civil war that rages on between Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier. However, a ridiculous performance by the utterly dominant A'ja Wilson highlighted what the real discussion of the league should be: the fact that the way Wilson is hooping justifies everything the players are asking for.
In recent days, Collier dropped a bombshell in her exit interview that rocked the entire league, revealing comments that Engelbert had allegedly spoken about several players in the WNBA — including the Indiana Fever sensation, Caitlin Clark.
Naturally, a potentially historical moment in the WNBA will always hog the spotlight, with Englebert's stance at the negotiating table threatening to derail the momentum that the women's game has created. Nevertheless, Wilson's truly remarkable showing has displayed that this should be a time to celebrate the growth of this wonderful league, not tarnish its ever-growing prestige.
A'ja Wilson stands on business
This was more than just another sensational performance by the 2025 Most Valuable Player; this was a statement. Even with the home-court advantage, the Mercury could not find a way to contain a superstar who continues to set fire to every page in the WNBA history books and proceeds to create a narrative that she is the greatest player of all time.
Wilson recorded a Finals career-high 34 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks, but even dropping this ridiculous stat line was not the memorable moment of the night. The South Carolina legend scored a sublime mid-range shot, leaving just 0.1 seconds on the clock to send fans of the Las Vegas franchise into a frenzy.
Her greatness did not end there, as the 29-year-old cemented herself as the first player in history to record consecutive 25+ and 10+ rebounds performances during the WNBA Finals. While also becoming the player who has recorded the most 30+ points postseason games of all-time.
A'ja Wilson is THAT GIRL 💅
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 9, 2025
Not only did she hit the game winning shot, but A'ja dropped a Finals career-high 34 PTS, 14 REB, 4 AST & 3 BLKS in the @LVAces Game 3 win!
✔️The first player in WNBA history to record back-to-back 25+ PTS and 10+ REB games in the Finals.
✔️Has the… pic.twitter.com/o9Moj6RO4i
There are now many players throughout the league who possess an elite skill set, but few who emit the aura of A'ja Wilson. If the Aces can secure another win in this series, it will be her third championship in just four years with the franchise. At this point, Wilson and success seem like an inevitable partnership.
With greatness unfolding before our eyes, there has never been a more fitting occasion to highlight the necessity for Cathy Englebert to pivot on her refusal to pay this supremely talented set of players the money that they work tirelessly to earn. A commissioner's responsibility is to enhance the profile of the WNBA; instead, she has cast a black cloud over the league's most celebrated occasion.