No, A’ja Wilson didn’t drop 55-22-11 — But here’s why so many believed it

The Fake Stat Line That Took Over WNBA Twitter

Social media erupted on Saturday night with a stunning claim: A’ja Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces’ two-time MVP and cornerstone of the WNBA’s reigning champions, had just posted 55 points, 22 rebounds, and 11 assists in a single game against the Minnesota Lynx.

The post, accompanied by a video clip from the first quarter of the game and shared by a popular women’s hoops fan account, quickly went viral. Hundreds of thousands of users liked, reposted, and commented on the clip. Even without context or confirmation from the WNBA or the Aces, the numbers spread like wildfire.

There was just one problem: it wasn’t true.

No Official Record, No Game-Wide Buzz

A’ja Wilson did not have a strong performance in the Aces’ 53-point loss against the Lynx, she did not put up 55-22-11. In fact, the official box score from the WNBA shows a significantly more grounded stat line. Wilson tallied 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. As a result, a weak performance by any measure. Thus, nowhere near the historic triple-double that was being shared online.

There was no postgame press conference hailing a record-breaking night. No league alerts or breaking news notifications. No mention of the feat from major sports outlets. And yet, many fans took the viral stat line at face value. That disconnect raises a compelling question: why did so many people believe it?

The Rise of WNBA Misinformation in the Age of Viral Clips

The answer has less to do with deceit and more to do with the perfect storm of hype, hunger, and platform mechanics. WNBA coverage, though steadily growing, still suffers from gaps in mainstream media attention. That vacuum creates space where fan-run accounts, speculative posts, and even well-meaning exaggerations can go unchecked.

The clip shared in the hoax post was real — a strong drive by Wilson against the Lynx defense. But with no timestamp or source link, it became a tool for fabrication. The stat line, while clearly exaggerated, wasn’t immediately dismissed because it felt plausible. Wilson could go off for 50. She has posted MVP-level numbers. And that’s what made the lie believable.

A Symptom of Something Bigger: Women’s Sports Visibility

That willingness to believe — or at least, to want to believe — speaks volumes about the state of women’s sports in 2025. Audiences are starving for iconic moments. With the rise of stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and yes, A’ja Wilson, the appetite for record-setting performances has never been higher.

That’s not just sentiment. According to Nielsen and ESPN, WNBA viewership is up 27% year over year. Merchandise sales and digital engagement are both trending upward. And with increased coverage comes increased stakes. Fans are no longer passively consuming women’s basketball; they are actively invested, often creating narratives in real-time.

In that environment, a viral stat line — true or not — becomes a stand-in for the kind of cultural moment fans are desperate to see.

Who Started It, and Why It Matters

The original post came from a fan account known for blending real stats with exaggerated memes. While some replies pointed out the inconsistency immediately, the majority ran with it, praising Wilson for “GOAT-level dominance” and calling the game “the greatest WNBA performance ever.”

No official WNBA or team-affiliated sources backed the numbers. And yet, the myth took root. It’s a reminder that in the attention economy, viral often beats verified.

The account has not edited the post. So, it’s walking back the numbers. Nor is it offering an outright correction or apology. Meanwhile, other accounts have reposted the clip with proper context, but the damage — or boost, depending on your perspective — was already done.

Wilson’s Real Impact Can’t Be Fabricated

While the 55-22-11 game didn’t happen, A’ja Wilson’s impact on the league is anything but fictional. She is the face of the Aces, a two-time WNBA champion, and a three-time All-Star with Olympic gold to her name. Her presence both on and off the court is a major reason for the Aces’ dominance and the league’s increasing popularity.

Wilson has not commented on the viral hoax, but her actual play continues to do the talking. As of early August, she is averaging over 24 points, 10 rebounds, and nearly 3 blocks per game — all while keeping the struggling Aces at .500.

A Symptom of a Bigger Shift in WNBA Media

The hoax highlights something else: the WNBA is entering a new phase of virality.

With the league seeing record ratings, sold-out arenas, and a new generation of social-native stars (like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink), there’s more online energy than ever around women’s basketball. But that growth comes with a new layer of misinformation risk. Accounts hungry for engagement have realized WNBA content can drive numbers — whether accurate or not.

This isn’t new in men’s sports. Fake NFL quotes, AI-generated NBA headlines, and stat padding hoaxes have circulated for years. But the WNBA hasn’t had to deal with this kind of viral manipulation until recently. The league’s growing popularity is forcing it into the same chaotic media ecosystem, where attention often outweighs truth.

Apparently, this is something stars like A’ja Wilson will have to deal with in the future.

Conclusion: What the Hoax Reveals About Women’s Sports Right Now

The A’ja Wilson stat line hoax was, in essence, a fantasy that many fans wanted to be true. Not because they were easily fooled, but because they believed such a moment was possible. And soon, it may be.

Women’s basketball is on the verge of a golden era, fueled by talent, visibility, and cultural momentum. While misinformation isn’t a strategy worth endorsing, the viral belief in a 55-22-11 performance speaks to a powerful truth: audiences are ready to believe in greatness. They just need the opportunity to see it with their own eyes.

Until then, the next time a stat line seems too good to be true, it’s worth checking the box score — and then tuning in anyway. Because sooner or later, A’ja Wilson might just make it real.