In a remarkable display of skill, Las Vegas Aces’ star center A’Ja Wilson made history during her team’s 95-81 victory over the Dallas Wings on Wednesday.
According to ESPN, Wilson’s statline was truly extraordinary, as she finished the game with an astounding 36 points, 12 rebounds, and six steals. This performance made her the first player in WNBA history to achieve at least 35 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 steals in a single game.
Not only that, but Wilson also joined an elite group by becoming only the second player in WNBA history, after New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, to record multiple games with at least 36 points and 12 rebounds.
When asked about her incredible performance, Wilson humbly credited her teammates and the flow of the game, saying, “I just take what the defense gives me and just the flow of the game. My teammates really just kept me afloat.”
With her record-breaking game, Wilson now leads the WNBA in points per game with an average of 27.9. Additionally, she ranks second in rebounds and blocks per game with 12.4 and 2.6 respectively, while sitting sixth in steals per game with 2.0.
From the very beginning of the match, Wilson showcased her dominance by scoring an impressive 14 points in the opening quarter, nearly matching the Wings’ total score on her own.
In the second quarter, Dallas made a comeback to narrow the score to 47-42 at halftime. However, thanks to 10 points from Wilson and eight from Jackie Young in the third quarter, the Aces built a commanding 14-point lead heading into the fourth.
The Aces maintained their dominance in the final 10 minutes, scoring the first five points of the quarter. Meanwhile, two-time WNBA MVP Wilson continued to make significant contributions on the court.
After the game, Aces head coach Becky Hammon wasted no time in praising her star player.
“Do we really need to emphasize that point? I mean, she’s the best player in the world,” Hammon told reporters, as reported by ESPN.
With this victory, the Aces improved their season record to 5-2 and made a strong start to their Commissioner’s Cup campaign, the WNBA’s in-season tournament.
Las Vegas is aiming for a historic achievement as the two-time defending champion. They are on a quest to become only the second team in the league’s history to win three consecutive titles. The Houston Comets hold the record, winning four in a row during the WNBA’s inaugural four seasons from 1997 to 2000. Cynthia Cooper played a pivotal role in those victories, earning the Finals MVP award in all four years.