A’ja Wilson limped off the court Tuesday, with pain, fully knowing what this meant. The Aces’ championship hopes, her MVP campaign, maybe her last shot at a title. All decided by one awkward landing at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
How Serious Is A’ja Wilson’s Wrist Injury?
On Tuesday, July 8, at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, the Las Vegas Aces faced off against the New York Liberty in a high-stakes regular season clash. However, midway through the second quarter, the energy shifted dramatically.
A’ja Wilson, the Aces’ three-time MVP and one of the most dominant forces in the WNBA, took a hard fall that left the arena in stunned silence. The moment was jarring, a reminder of how quickly a game can turn when one of its brightest stars goes down.
Wilson was driving to the rim on a fast break when a Liberty defender rose to contest her in the air. The two collided, and Wilson hit the hardwood hard, landing awkwardly on her left wrist.
Dawg. A’Ja Wilson just hit the floor hard during the Las Vegas Aces vs New York Liberty game 😳 pic.twitter.com/DNFoYor6Ti
— RashticReport (@RashticReport) July 9, 2025
At first, she got up and stayed in the game, showing the toughness that has defined her career. But it quickly became clear something wasn’t right. Moments later, she was seen walking back to the locker room alongside Aces trainers, her left arm cradled against her body.
The Aces were down 30-33 with under four minutes to play in the second quarter when the incident occurred. Wilson had contributed 2 points, four rebounds, and two assists on 0-of-3 shooting before her exit. It wasn’t her most productive outing, but her presence, especially in games of this intensity, always looms large.
A’ja Wilson out for rest of game. Right wrist injury. Here is what happened. Hoping for the best after this tough landing. @LVAces pic.twitter.com/6pPDsIYeNY
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) July 9, 2025
Shortly after halftime, ESPN’s Holly Rowe reported that Wilson would not return. She confirmed the injury as a right wrist issue. Kierstan Bell started the second half in Wilson’s absence.
What Does This Mean for the Aces’ Championship Hopes?
The Aces have not yet released a full update on Wilson’s condition, but the initial signs weren’t promising. The pain was immediate, the fall visibly hard. In a season already riddled with major injuries to WNBA stars, including Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale, DiJonai Carrington, and Courtney Vandersloot, Wilson’s potential absence only deepens the cloud hanging over this year’s WNBA season.
This isn’t Wilson’s first scare of the 2025 campaign, either. In early June, she entered concussion protocol after taking a blow during a game against the Los Angeles Sparks. Though she returned not long after, it marked the beginning of what’s been a physically demanding stretch for the superstar forward.
Wilson has long been the heart of the Aces, not just as one of their leading scorers, but as a tone-setter, leader, and emotional core. She has averaged 20.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 16 games this season. A lingering injury to her wrist could affect everything from shot mechanics to defensive presence, fundamentally altering how Las Vegas approaches each possession.
For now, Las Vegas will wait and hope it’s nothing serious. But in a league where every game matters and championship windows are narrow, losing Wilson for any extended period could derail what many considered the Aces’ best shot at another title.
