A’ja Wilson etched her name in WNBA history, becoming the first player to score 1,000 points in a single season, The Associated Press reports.
The Las Vegas Aces star achieved the milestone with a pull-up jumper with two minutes left in their 84-71 victory over the Connecticut Sun.
Wilson’s historic achievement came on the heels of breaking the single-season scoring record earlier this week, surpassing Jewell Loyd’s mark set last year. The Aces celebrated the milestone with a timeout as Wilson was mobbed by her teammates, before acknowledging the roaring crowd with a wave.
The win solidified the Aces’ playoff berth, giving them a one-game lead over Seattle for the No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round. They have now won seven of their last eight games.
Wilson dominated on both ends of the court, finishing the game with 29 points and adding four rebounds and two blocks. She was particularly impactful in the third quarter, scoring 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including both of her three-point attempts.
Connecticut, now trailing the Minnesota Lynx by two games for the No. 2 seed, struggled offensively, particularly in the third quarter. They shot just 4-of-16 from the field, including a dismal 0-of-5 from three-point range.
The Aces’ lead, already established at halftime, ballooned to 20 points by the end of the third quarter. Marina Mabrey led the Sun with 18 points.
Kelsey Plum contributed 14 points for the Aces, including a three-pointer that sparked an 11-1 run to close out the first half.
Despite the loss, Brionna Jones continues to be a bright spot for the Sun, averaging 20.1 points per game on a remarkable 66% shooting during the month of September.
