Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson made history in the WNBA on Wednesday night.
In Vegas’ 86-75 victory over the Indiana Fever, Wilson broke the league’s single-season scoring record. Starting the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Wilson was just 11 points away from the record, and she wasted no time reaching that milestone.
After a slow start where the Aces fell behind 7-0, Wilson scored four consecutive baskets from the top of the key in the first quarter. She then hit two free throws to tie the record before the end of the quarter. Just before halftime, Wilson scored another shot near the free-throw line, setting the new record at 941 points for the season.
Wilson had 12 points by halftime, helping the Aces to a nine-point lead going into the break. She finished the game with 27 points, shooting 11-of-28 from the field, and also grabbed 12 rebounds in the 11-point victory. Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 24 points, while Caitlin Clark contributed 16 points and six assists despite struggling from the 3-point line.
With this achievement, Wilson surpassed Jewel Lloyd of the Seattle Storm for the most points scored in a single WNBA season. Lloyd set the record last season with 939 points in 38 games, but Wilson surpassed that total in her 35th game of the season. The Aces have four more regular-season games remaining after the win against the Fever.
A two-time MVP, Wilson is favored to win her third league MVP award. She has been putting up career-best numbers this season, averaging 27.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 52.7% from the field.
Wilson is also on track to break the WNBA’s single-season rebounding record, previously held by Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky. Reese, who sustained a season-ending wrist injury in September, had 446 rebounds, while Wilson currently has 418 rebounds for the season.
With the win, the Aces now hold a 23-13 record, currently in fourth place in the league standings and seven games behind the first-place Minnesota Lynx as they aim for a third consecutive WNBA title.
The Fever, with a 19-18 record, have already secured a playoff spot for the first time since 2016. They are in sixth place in the standings and may not be able to surpass the fifth-place Storm before the end of the regular season.
