A'ja Wilson Stats Tonight: Aces' leading MVP candidate enjoys another strong game in loss vs Lynx

A'ja Wilson and the two-time defending WNBA champions Las Vegas Aces were looking to exact payback on the Minnesota Lynx in the second game of their back-to-back games in Minneapolis on Friday.

Las Vegas lost to Minnesota, 98-87, at home on Wednesday, something the Aces were out to redeem themselves from as they visited the Target Center for their third game following the WNBA's Olympic break.

A'ja Wilson was again at the forefront of the Aces' attack as they found themselves in another tight battle with the Lynx, narrowly trailing, 40-39, at the end of the first 20 minutes.

The two-time league MVP, a favorite to win a third one this season, had nine points, four rebounds and three assists in the opening half. Providing support to her was Kelsey Plum, who also had nine points, with Chelsea Gray, Tiffany Hayes and Megan Gustafson adding five points apiece.

Minnesota got out strong to start the third, outscoring Las Vegas, 22-6, in the first eight minutes, to take their lead to 17 points, 62-45 with 2:17 left in the frame. A'ja Wilson, however, jump-started a mini rally for the Aces as the quarter drew to a close, narrowing the gap to 65-54.

The Aces continued with their charge in the fourth quarter, cutting their deficit to just four points, 67-63, with 6:14 to go in the game. The Lynx responded with a 7-2 run in the next minute and a half to create further separation, 74-65, at the 4:58 mark.

It was a spurt that proved to be a turning point for Minnesota as it got leverage to work on to finish the game and get the 87-74 win. Wilson eventually finished the game with 24 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Check out Wilson's full statline below:

Player	MIN	FGM-A	FG%	3PM-A	3P5	FTM-A	FT%	+/-	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	PF	STL	TO	BS	PTS
A'ja Wilson	32:56	8-17	47.1	0-2	0.0	8-9	88.9	-21	0	7	7	3	4	0	3	0	24

Las Vegas plays next on Sunday in a road game against the Chicago Sky.

A'ja Wilson proud of how 2024 basketball season is panning out for her

The two-time WNBA champion paced Team USA as they went on to win another gold at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where she went on to win MVP honors after averaging 18.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 1.5 steals in six games.

It was an extension of an impressive WNBA season for her, where she is averaging a league-leading 26.9 points and 2.7 blocks, both career-highs. She peppers her stat line with 11.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and two steals per contest in 34 minutes.

A'ja Wilson spoke about the 2024 campaign she is having, telling Olympics.com in an interview:

"I just see it as I'm doing what I'm supposed to do. I'm doing what I'm prepped myself, what I love to do. If this is historic, and the numbers say it, then great, but at the same time, this is something that I'm built to do..."

A'ja Wilson is now channeling her focus on the second half of their WNBA campaign where she hopes to lead the Aces (17-11) to a strong finish and an even better postseason where they emerge on top as champions again.