A’ja Wilson tunes out noise, delivers to send Aces to semis

There aren’t many feelings in the world that can equate to an A’ja Wilson close-out game.

It’s why the Las Vegas Aces superstar is a four-time MVP — a fifth more than likely on the way — and why nothing, not even a little negative noise, can deter her.

Wilson did what she does best — put the team on her back to the tune of 36 points and 10 rebounds to send the Aces to the WNBA semifinals. The 94-83 win over the Indiana Fever in Game 3 means the defending champions will continue their quest for a fourth title in five years.

It was another day at the office for Wilson, who went 11 of 18 from the floor and 12 of 15 from the free-throw line.

It was another reminder that she’s the best player in the world. That’s not a surprise.

Wilson also showed that it doesn’t matter what kind of noise comes her way. Good, bad or a mix. She knows how to tune it out when business is at hand.

Wilson avoided a fine or, at worst, a suspension following her confrontation with a fan in Game 2 on Tuesday in Indiana during the Aces’ 99-89 loss.

Following a foul on Indiana’s Sophie Cunningham, a fan stood and pointed at Wilson. She took exception, stepped toward the fan and yelled, “You don’t point at me” multiple times.

She did not step out of the designated area. Therefore, no punishment was handed down.

“Honestly, I have my days. I have my moments because I’m human,” Wilson said Thursday. “But after a while, I understood that I didn’t want that to be a distraction to myself and my team. I knew what I had to do to commit to tonight.

“I prayed a lot. I cried a lot. I talked to a lot of different people. The amount of love I received today, it reminded me that I’m covered. I can’t really worry about anything else. I’m so grateful to be surrounded by people that constantly lift me up.”

Wilson showing any sort of frustration during a postgame press conference is like trying to find Big Foot. It’s next to impossible. She’s usually even-keeled and doesn’t let those kinds of events impact her.

“I try to play my game. … But if I am just walking, just got the foul, I’m chilling and I see a man come at me, taking steps toward me and pointing at me. I don’t give a damn what you said,” Wilson said after Game 2.

In a time where the WNBA is at an apex of popularity and conversation, Wilson is still the face of it. She said what she had to say, and knew she had to be better after losing Game 2.

Which is crazy to think about. Any other player going for 22 points and nine rebounds in a losing effort while implying she needs to be “better” shows the kind of standard Wilson has set in these games.

“Once I put that on the backburner, I had to come up and I had to show up for my team today,” Wilson said. “And I’m glad we got the win.”

Wilson responded, as she tends to do, in historic fashion. Her 28th playoff double-double moved her to second place in league history. Only Alyssa Thomas (31) has more.

It was her second of the series after dropping 38 and 16 in Game 1.

The Big Three of Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young combined for 77 points. Young and Gray both played 40 minutes. Wilson, though playing with five fouls, played 37 minutes.

“I need them to go be the Big Three I’ve always known them to be,” coach Becky Hammon said. “And they deliver in big moments.”

No matter the noise, the Aces have heard it all. Wilson, at the forefront of it, has heard it all. It comes with the territory for a franchise that has reached the semifinals for an eighth consecutive season.

That’s what happens when you’re part of a dynasty.

“I know everyone’s going to try to be their best against me. If not, they’re going to be their best against me. If not, they’re going to be their best against me because of the resume, or the team that I’m on,” Wilson said. “Every night I step foot on the court, I don’t take a possession for granted because I know how much I can give to this game, and how much the game’s done for me.”