A’ja Wilson has been the league’s best player for half the time she’s been in it, and that’s not hyperbole. In just eight WNBA seasons, she has claimed four MVP awards, including this year’s neck-to-neck battle. But even before securing this year’s honor, Wilson was at the center of every conversation, especially during Las Vegas’ defining 16-game win streak to close the regular season. Yet in one of the most pivotal stretches, she willingly ceded the spotlight to her co-star, who now looms as a potential hidden sword against the Indiana Fever.

“There’s no Aces going on these runs (and) there’s no Aces winning championships without a piece of Jackie Young,” Wilson said. “What she’s done with our team, how she helps us, not just on the court, and the little things that she does, but on both sides of the basketball every single night, is something that I don’t ever take for granted when it comes to Jackie Young.” With those words in mind, heading into the highly anticipated semifinals clash between the Aces and the Fever, Ashley Nicole Moss issued a warning.

Moss said on the ‘We Need To Talk’ podcast, “I think also that as much attention is going to be given to A’ja Wilson, and very rightfully so, put some respect on her name. We already heard A’ja, she was like, “A’ja Wilson, baka baka or something.”That’s my Erica interpretation of what she said. But basically, she was like, “Y’all talking about me. Look at what Jackie Young look at what Jackie has been doing for us.” And we have been talking about Jackie Young because we’ve started to see her settle into her leadership style, her playing style, and be unapologetic.”

How to guard A’ja Wilson is first on the Fever’s to-do list, and has to be given that she is topping the scoring list with 23.4 points per game. “You just have to try to make things difficult [for Wilson]. Great players are gonna find ways to do what they do. You just have to try to make it as challenging as you possibly can. Make them earn it.” Fever HC White said. Now, that could be interpreted as double-teaming the best player in the league to prevent her from easily tearing them apart. However, that leaves Jackie Young to weave her magic with fewer defenders around her. 

Remember, Jackie Young was still playing like a machine (averaging above 15 points) in the first half of the season, when the Aces were not the team they are now (with a 14-14 record until the 28th game). During their 16-game winning streak, Young averaged 16.4 points and 6.4 assists per game while shooting 2.3 threes per game. In the playoffs, she has been better, averaging 19.0 points, 4.0 assists, while shooting a team-high 2.0 three pointers per game. 

But it won’t be easy. Indiana managed to choke the best outside shooting in the league (Atlanta Dream) to 16/56, so Young will have a task ahead of her. But if she can get past that Indiana defense, it gives A’ja Wilson more space in the paint and puts Indiana in trouble. While her offensive ability is something many look at, her defensive abilities might just be more crucial going up against the Fever. 

Jackie Young Key In Stopping Kelsey Mitchell And Indiana Fever

Jackie Young is the second-best defender behind A’ja Wilson in this Aces squad, with a defensive rating of 99.2. Wilson commands the paint while Young patrols the perimeter. When Young is on the court, the Aces concede three pointers at a 31.1% clip. When she is off, the rate jumps to 33.3%, which is above their season-wide average of 31.6%. That applies to the general field goal percentage, too.

While Young is on the court and defending with full intensity, it’s down to 42.9%. When she is warming the benches, it jumps to 45.7%. Not even A’ja has such a high jump. 

ESPN noted that Young will be tasked with defending the Fever’s biggest weapon, Kelsey Mitchell. “Young is the premier perimeter defender and will look to try to slow down Mitchell as much as possible, but Wilson said the Aces can’t leave Young to do that all by herself.” Michael Voepel wrote. Mitchell is arguably playing the best basketball of her life. In the playoffs, she is averaging 23.3 points and 3 assists per game at a 46.8% field goal percentage. 

Her three-point shooting has been vital in the absence of Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham, and Aari McDonald. If Young manages to hold Mitchell’s outside shooting with some help from her teammates, suddenly everything gets easier. Now, the Aces can focus on Aliyah Boston in the paint, who is another threat. Wilson will likely go head-to-head against the fellow Gamecocks graduate, and that match-up will also decide the outcome of the series.