A'ja Wilson Collided With Worker Before Aces Victory
Las Vegas star A'ja Wilson avoided injury after running into a worker in the tunnel at PHX Arena.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Basketball
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Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson collided with an arena worker in a tunnel before a game against the Phoenix Mercury on September 24, 2026. Neither Wilson nor the worker sustained serious injuries during the incident at PHX Arena.
Why it matters
The incident occurred just before a high-stakes performance by Wilson, who led her team to a win that secured the No. 3 playoff seed. The collision could have potentially sidelined the star ahead of the team's upcoming postseason series.
A'ja Wilson recorded 34 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in the 100 to 82 victory over Phoenix. She shot 16 of 28 from the field during her time on the court.
The players
A'ja Wilson
She is an elite professional basketball forward who plays for the Las Vegas Aces.
Las Vegas Aces
This is a professional women's basketball team competing in the WNBA.
Phoenix Mercury
This is a professional women's basketball team based in Phoenix.
Indiana Fever
This is a professional women's basketball team that holds a 2 to 1 season series lead over the Aces.
The details
The worker peered through the entrance curtain while the Aces team ran through the tunnel, leading to a collision with Wilson at full speed. Wilson recovered quickly to play 35 minutes in the game, which secured the Las Vegas Aces the No. 3 seed in the playoffs.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: A'ja Wilson collided with an arena worker.
September 27, 2026: Playoff series Game 1 begins.
October 1, 2026: Playoff series Game 3, if necessary.
Season Trajectory
The victory ensures the Las Vegas Aces enter the postseason as the No. 3 seed, setting up a best-of-three series against the Indiana Fever. The result significantly alters the playoff bracket by finalizing the opponent for Las Vegas in the opening round.
The Las Vegas Aces secured the No. 3 seed, directly setting up their first-round postseason matchup against the Indiana Fever. Given the Fever won the season series 2 to 1, this playoff encounter represents a significant statistical challenge for the Aces.
The takeaway
Maintaining safety in arena transit corridors is essential to protecting athletes during high-pressure game days. Fans should keep an eye on injury reports during the upcoming playoff series to monitor how Wilson's heavy workload impacts her postseason performance.
What happens next
The Las Vegas Aces will face the Indiana Fever in the first round of the playoffs, with Game 1 scheduled for September 27, 2026. A potential deciding Game 3 is set for October 1, 2026.
Further reading
Find more updates on the Basketball playoffs and league standings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Rolling Out.
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