Key facts

• A'ja Wilson, a four-time WNBA MVP, is missing the FIBA Women's World Cup as she manages a back injury.
• Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon says Wilson needs time and remains day-to-day with back soreness.
• Wilson is expected to return when the WNBA resumes on Sept. 17 for the final four regular-season games.
• USA Basketball replaced Wilson and former Aces teammate Kelsey Plum with Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron.
• Hammon defended Wilson's decision, pointing to male NBA stars who routinely skip the World Cup to rest and prioritize the Olympics.
• The Aces signed 6-foot-7 center Kalani Brown to help offset the loss of NaLyssa Smith, who is out for the rest of the 2026 season.

LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Aces are prioritizing A'ja Wilson's health amid criticism surrounding her decision to miss the FIBA Women's World Cup. The four-time WNBA MVP has been dealing with a back issue that has fluctuated in severity, and the organization has made it clear that player health comes before international competition.

Coach Becky Hammon provided an update after Wednesday's practice, saying Wilson still needs time to recover. 'She's needed some time, obviously,' Hammon said. 'I still think she's dealing with some back stuff. Some days it's a little sorer than others.'

Hammon expects Wilson to be ready when the WNBA returns from the FIBA break on Sept. 17. The Aces have four regular-season games remaining, and victories in those contests should help them maintain the third seed and position themselves for another championship run. 'For the most part, I think she's able to come out here and compete, and be there for her teammates, which is always her first priority,' Hammon said. 'But I'm keeping an eye on her, you know? Even in this downtime.'

Wilson and former Aces teammate Kelsey Plum were late scratches from the global tournament. USA Basketball announced replacements on Aug. 31, adding Washington Mystics players Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron to the roster. The news arrived just days before the United States opened World Cup play in Berlin, Germany. Team USA went 3-0 in group play, but the absence of Wilson and Plum continued to generate debate among media personalities and fans.

Criticism and a broader debate about player health

Much of the backlash focused on speculation rather than confirmed medical information. A former national sports television anchor suggested Wilson's absence stemmed from insecurity rather than a reported health issue, questioning whether Wilson did not want to spend weeks watching the World Cup become the Caitlin Clark show. The commentator also asked why Wilson would have played more than 30 minutes in six of her last seven games and over 27 minutes in the other if she had a back injury.

The remarks drew a sharp response from Bernice King, the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., who called for a public apology and a retraction. King described the commentary as disappointing, delusional, and dangerous, especially when directed at a great ambassador and a GOAT athlete in the WNBA and in sports. The exchange highlighted a larger tension: fans and pundits often demand transparency about injuries while simultaneously questioning players when they choose rest or rehabilitation over international competition.

Hammon said she was not familiar with the specific comments, but she did not hesitate to address the double standard. 'A'ja has every right to do what she feels is best health wise,' Hammon said. 'And the other thing is, the men do this all the time. Can you name me any of the men's world championship rosters right now? Can you name me any person on there? What I'm saying is, LeBron and those guys — if this was a man making this decision, there would be nothing to say. And that's my problem.'

Hammon's point is supported by recent basketball history. LeBron James last played in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2006 in Japan, where he won a bronze medal with Team USA. That appearance marked his only career stint in the World Cup, as he later prioritized the Olympic Games and offseason rest. Stephen Curry's last FIBA Basketball World Cup appearance came in 2014, when he helped Team USA win gold. Since then, many top NBA superstars have treated the World Cup differently from the Olympics, often skipping the tournament to recover from long seasons or prepare for other goals.

The pattern became part of mainstream basketball discussion when Team USA finished fourth at the 2023 FIBA World Cup with a roster headlined by Anthony Edwards and Jalen Brunson. While the team was talented, it lacked the veteran superstar firepower that typically defines Olympic rosters. For many NBA players, the Olympics remain the priority, while the World Cup is viewed through a different lens of scheduling and load management.

Aces managing Wilson's workload and retooling the post

Wilson's official withdrawal came close to competition time, but there were signs she was not fully healthy. She appeared on the Aces' injury report twice in the week before the announcement with a back injury. Before that, Wilson missed the Aces' 93-85 loss to the New York Liberty in the Commissioner's Cup Championship due to a right leg injury. She was then sidelined for games against the Chicago Sky on July 3 and the Indiana Fever on July 5.

At that time, Hammon made the team's approach clear: Wilson wanted to play, but the Aces were not going to let her. 'She wants to play. I'm not letting her play,' Hammon said. The statement underscored the organization's commitment to protecting its franchise player even when she was eager to compete.

When asked why Wilson and the Aces' other stars were not benched from a 101-78 win over the Connecticut Sun on Aug. 20, Hammon was blunt. 'Have you seen us play lately?' she said. 'We need to start getting our [expletive] together.' The comment reflected the pressure the Aces were facing as they tried to secure postseason seeding while managing injuries across the roster.

The Aces were struggling during that period. Despite needing wins to secure their playoff position, they had won just twice in their previous six games before the victory against Connecticut. Without forward NaLyssa Smith, who was officially ruled out for the remainder of the 2026 WNBA season on Aug. 27, Wilson was guaranteed to receive even more attention from defenses in the paint. Opponents could load up on her, send double-teams, and force other players to beat them.

To take some of that pressure off Wilson, the Aces signed 6-foot-7 center Kalani Brown on Aug. 29. Brown's size gives Las Vegas another interior presence and a potential rebounding and rim-protecting option. When Brown was introduced, Aces general manager and president Nikki Fargas said she believes the new addition will be very impactful immediately.

'I just want to say, there's a lot of pounding that goes on in this league. And there's a lot of expectations that are placed on these players,' Fargas said. 'With the greatness that exists in A'ja at this time, the most important thing is player health. And so as an organization, we want to make sure that we're leading in that way.'

The Aces' stance reflects a growing recognition across women's sports that load management and injury prevention are not signs of weakness. They are essential parts of protecting careers and maximizing performance when games matter most. Wilson has carried a heavy burden for Las Vegas, and her availability for the final stretch of the regular season and the playoffs could determine whether the Aces make another deep run.

For now, Wilson's focus remains on recovery. The Aces are expected to welcome her back after the FIBA break, but they will continue to monitor her back closely. Hammon said she is keeping an eye on Wilson even during downtime, a sign that the team is not rushing the process. The final four games of the regular season will be critical for seeding, rhythm, and confidence, and the Aces would rather have a healthier Wilson for the postseason than a limited version of her in September.

As the debate over her World Cup absence continues, the Aces have made their position clear: Wilson's long-term health and her ability to help Las Vegas compete for a championship come first. The criticism may linger, but the organization is focused on the only outcome it can control — getting one of the best players in the world back on the floor when it matters most.

Source:MSN News