In a triumphant performance, A'ja Wilson surpasses the WNBA's single-season scoring record during the Las Vegas Aces' victory against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.
Wilson matched Jewell Loyd's record of 939 points set by the Seattle Storm last year with a free throw in the first quarter, afterwards making history with a mid-range shot in the last seconds of the first half.
She concluded the game with 27 points, pushing her season tally to 956, as reported by the team. If she participates in all four of the Aces' remaining regular season encounters, she'd need to score an average of 11 points per game to become the first player in league history to surpass 1,000 points in a single campaign. Wilson presently leads the WNBA in scoring with 27.3 points per game.
"It's a blessing, it truly is," she stated postmatch. "I don't take this for granted. We have some remarkable players in this league, so for my name to be among them, it's truly a blessing."
"I need to thank my teammates because without them, I wouldn't receive the ball... they continue to feed into me so I can feed into them, and that means a lot."
Wilson obtained praise from her peers following her record-breaking achievement, with six-time WNBA All-Star and current South Carolina Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley among those offering congratulations. Staley coached Wilson for four years in college before she was chosen first overall in the 2018 draft.
Wilson's teammates also praised her postgame.
"Wearing the crown is challenging, but she shows up every day and empowers those around her," said Las Vegas forward Alysha Clark. “And I don’t think people realize how special that is for a person, for your franchise player, for your superstar, for your leader to be able to do on a consistent basis.”
“Leadership is tough in itself, but being a superstar – plus leadership – that’s insane. That’s why only a select few get that title and A’ja exemplifies every single aspect of that.”
Wilson also posted a double-double in her record-breaking performance, gathering 12 rebounds together with two steals and three blocks. According to the Aces, she now has 418 boards for the year, putting her 29 behind the single-season record set by Angel Reese earlier this year. The Chicago Sky rookie has been ruled out for the rest of the year due to a wrist injury.
Three other Vegas players scored in double digits – Clark scored 14 points, while Tiffany Hayes and Chelsea Gray added 12 and 11 points respectively as the Aces moved to 23-13, placing them fourth in the league standings. Wilson and her teammates are aiming to make history by becoming only the second WNBA team to win three consecutive championships.
It was a disheartening evening for the Fever, who are under pressure from the Phoenix Mercury to secure the No. 6 seed for the postseason. Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 24 points, while superstar rookie Caitlin Clark scored 16.
Clark didn't have one of her customary sharp-shooting performances that fans have come to anticipate, going only 6-for-22 from the field and 1-for-10 from deep.
A late-season surge from Indiana has seen the team climb above .500 and secure their first playoff berth since 2016. The team has won seven out of their last 10 games, with Wednesday's loss bringing the Fever to 19-18, 1.5 games ahead of Phoenix.
Indiana has a chance to seek retribution on Friday in a rematch against the defending champions.
Wilson's record-breaking performance in the WNBA further solidifies her status as a formidable athlete in the world of sport. If she maintains her current scoring average, she is on track to break the single-season points record set by Angel Reese earlier this year.
