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Summary:
- A’ja Wilson became the first WNBA player to record 30+ points and 20 rebounds in a game.
- The Aces rallied from an early deficit to beat the Connecticut Sun 94-86 on Sunday.
- Jackie Young added 21 points as Las Vegas side secured their sixth win in seven games.
A’ja Wilson put on a historic show on Sunday night, when she turned into the first player in Women’s National Basketball Association history to pass 30 points and record 20 rebounds during a single game. Wilson powered the Las Vegas Aces to a 94-86 win over the Connecticut Sun at Michelob Ultra Arena, piling up 32 points and matching her career-high with 20 boards while shooting 13-for-25 from the field.
Aces Improve to 18-14
The Aces didn’t start the game like a team on the verge of making WNBA history. They fell behind early and trailed by double digits midway through the second quarter.
However, a defensive lockdown in the final minutes of the half, holding Connecticut scoreless for the remainder of the period, allowed Las Vegas to pull even at the break.
Momentum shifted for good in the third quarter. Chelsea Gray knocked down a pair of free throws to give the Aces their first lead of the half, and from there, they kept control.
An 8-0 run late in the third pushed the advantage, and Las Vegas never let the Sun back in it.
Jackie Young was a strong secondary force for Las Vegas, adding 21 points and six assists. Jewell Lloyd came off the bench with 12 points, and the Aces collectively shot just under 50% from the floor while dominating the glass with a +17 rebounding margin.
The win was their sixth in the past seven games, improving their record to 18-14.
On Connecticuts side, Marina Mabrey was in the lead with 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting, while Saniya Rivers added 17 off the bench.
Leila Lacan also chipped in 13, while the rest of the roster struggled to find rhythm. The Sun’s 5-25 record now stands as the league’s worst.
Hope Through Wilson
Wilson, a three-time league MVP and seven-time All-Star, is now averaging 21.8 points and 9.2 rebounds this season.
Over her last three outings, she’s been on an incredible tear, averaging nearly 30 points per game. Her latest feat comes just two days after she celebrated her 29th birthday with a 29-point effort in a victory over the Seattle Storm.
Becky Hammon’s side is still trailing the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Lynx by nine games.
However, Wilson’s top shape gives them hope for a late-season push. If she keeps producing like this, Las Vegas could close the gap before the playoffs.
