WNBA scoring record/ A’ja Wilson milestone/ Wilson 1,000-point season/ Newslooks/ LAS VEGAS/ Morning Edition/ J. Mansour/ A’ja Wilson made WNBA history, becoming the first player to score 1,000 points in a season during the Las Vegas Aces’ 84-71 win over the Connecticut Sun. Wilson’s 29 points, including a key pull-up jumper late in the game, fueled the victory. The Aces now hold a one-game playoff advantage over Seattle.
A’ja Wilson 1,000 Points Quick Looks:
- A’ja Wilson scored 1,000 points in the 2024 season, a WNBA first.
- Wilson recorded 29 points in the Aces’ 84-71 win against the Sun.
- Las Vegas Aces have secured a one-game playoff lead over Seattle.
- Wilson’s dominance included scoring 14 points in the third quarter alone.
- Connecticut Sun struggled offensively in the third, shooting just 25%.
A’ja Wilson Sets WNBA Record with 1,000 Points in 2024
Deep Look:
A’ja Wilson made history in the WNBA by becoming the first player to surpass 1,000 points in a single season, as the Las Vegas Aces triumphed over the Connecticut Sun 84-71 on Sunday. Wilson contributed a game-high 29 points, hitting her 1,000th point with a pull-up jumper from the elbow with just two minutes left in the contest. Earlier in the week, Wilson had already broken Jewell Loyd’s single-season scoring record set last year.
In recognition of her milestone, Las Vegas called a timeout shortly after, and Wilson’s teammates swarmed her in celebration. Following the timeout, Wilson received a roaring ovation from the Las Vegas crowd as she acknowledged the fans’ applause. This victory pushed the Aces to a 25-13 record, maintaining their one-game lead over the Seattle Storm for the fourth seed in the WNBA playoffs. Home-court advantage in the series is on the line, and Las Vegas has now won seven of its last eight games, entering the postseason with strong momentum.
Meanwhile, the Connecticut Sun (27-11) is two games behind the Minnesota Lynx in the race for the second seed. The two teams will face off on Tuesday in Connecticut in what will be a pivotal match for both teams. During the third quarter, the Sun struggled significantly, making just 4 of 16 field goals and going 0 for 5 from beyond the arc. As a result, the Aces expanded their lead from eight points at halftime to 71-51 by the end of the third.
Wilson was particularly outstanding in this period, contributing 14 points, four rebounds, and two blocks, making 6 of 8 field goals and hitting both of her three-point attempts. Her all-around performance, especially on both ends of the court, solidified the Aces’ dominance. Guard Kelsey Plum also played a key role in the win, scoring 14 points and hitting a crucial three-pointer to give the Aces the lead for good during an 11-1 run that capped off the first half. Plum’s jumper extended the run and cemented the Aces’ momentum going into the break.
For the Sun, Marina Mabrey led the charge with 18 points, while Brionna Jones delivered an impressive performance, adding 17 points and nine rebounds on 7-of-12 shooting. Jones has been a standout for Connecticut in recent weeks, averaging over 20 points per game in September while shooting an impressive 66%. Tyasha Harris also contributed 16 points for the Sun, but their collective efforts were not enough to overcome Wilson’s historic night and the Aces’ strong defensive play.
As the WNBA regular season winds down, all eyes will be on Wilson and the Aces as they aim to continue their winning ways and make a deep postseason run. Wilson’s landmark achievement is sure to be a highlight of the 2024 season, and the Aces’ push for playoff success seems primed to follow her lead.
