BEHIND THE STITCH: ALANI
June 21, 2024
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Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson has set yet another milestone in what has been a phenomenal 2024 season. On Sunday, she became the first player in WNBA history to score 1,000 points in a single season during a home game against the Connecticut Sun. With just minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Wilson sank a fadeaway jumper from the elbow, sending her teammates and the home crowd into a frenzy.
The Aces went on to secure an 84-71 victory over the Sun, and Wilson’s historic achievement was celebrated post-game with her teammates and family. She was presented with the game ball and joined in on the festivities with her parents and teammates.
This record-breaking moment came just days after Wilson shattered another WNBA record—most points scored in a single season. She surpassed the previous mark of 939 points set by Seattle Storm’s Jewell Loyd in 2023 during a game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.
Wilson’s exceptional season has solidified her as the frontrunner for the 2024 WNBA MVP award, which would mark her third win after previous victories in 2020 and 2022. She currently leads the league with an average of 27 points and 2.6 blocks per game, while her 12 rebounds per game rank second, just behind Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese. Wilson is also on the verge of breaking the WNBA single-season rebounds record, needing just three more rebounds in the final two games to claim the title.
If Wilson takes home the MVP award, she will join an elite group of players—Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson—as the only athletes to win the award three times. Aces head coach Becky Hammon praised Wilson’s performance and wanted her to reach the 1,000-point milestone at home, ensuring she received the recognition she deserved.
“She’s dominant on both ends, and that’s a rare kind of player,” Aces head Coach Becky Hammon said.
Wilson’s historic season continues to redefine what’s possible in the WNBA.
