A'ja Wilson Makes WNBA History with 1,000 Points in a Season as Aces Defeat Sun
In a landmark achievement, A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces has become the first WNBA player to score 1,000 points in a single season. Wilson reached this historic milestone with a pull-up jumper from the elbow with just 2 minutes remaining in the game. Her impressive performance was a key factor in the Aces’ 84-71 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday.
Earlier this week, Wilson had already broken the previous single-season scoring record of 944 points set by Jewell Loyd last year. The milestone achievement was celebrated by her teammates, who gathered around her in a joyous timeout moment. The crowd also joined in the celebration, giving Wilson a standing ovation as she clapped her hands in acknowledgment.
The Las Vegas Aces, now with a record of 25-13, hold a narrow one-game lead over the Seattle Storm for the No. 4 seed in the playoffs, which would grant them home-court advantage. The Aces have been in strong form, winning seven of their last eight games.
Meanwhile, the Connecticut Sun, with a record of 27-11, is in pursuit of the No. 2 seed, trailing the Minnesota Lynx by two games. The Sun’s struggles were evident as they made only 4 of 16 field goals, including 0 of 5 from beyond the arc, in the third quarter. The Aces used a strong defensive performance to extend their lead, outscoring the Sun 71-51 by the end of the third.
Brionna Jones led the Sun with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Marina Mabrey and Tyasha Harris added 18 and 16 points, respectively. Jones has been in particularly good form this month, averaging 20.1 points per game on 66% shooting.
Kelsey Plum also played a crucial role for the Aces, scoring 14 points and hitting a pivotal 3-pointer that sparked an 11-1 run, establishing a lead that Las Vegas never relinquished. Plum’s step-back jumper at the end of the first half was instrumental in setting the tone for the game.
The Aces will look to maintain their momentum as they head into the final stretch of the season, with Wilson’s historic achievement adding another layer of excitement to their playoff push.