Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 6,000 points on Monday night. She accomplished the feat in 278 games to beat Diana Taurasi, who did in 291. But that wasn’t enough for Wilson’s teammates.
Late in a 101-91 win over the Seattle Storm on Monday at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, they scrambled to get the ball back in the four-time league MVP’s hands so she could secure a triple-double.
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Wilson finished with 34 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists and three blocks — just one assist shy of the stat line Aces forward NaLyssa Smith admitted the Aces were hoping to help her reach, but still the first 34-12-9 game in the WNBA has ever seen.
It’s a reminder that Wilson, 29, is making history nearly every time steps on the court these days. That reality isn’t lost on her.
“It’s a blessing. I give it all to God. I’m able to show up to work every single day with phenomenal women that make me want to do what I want to do,” Wilson said. “It’s been an incredible journey and ride. Obviously, we’re not done and I have a lot more to do.”
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson reacts to hitting a three-point basket against the Seattle Storm.
Wilson’s answer was right in line with what Aces coach Becky Hammon has come to expect from the decorated center.
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“Her humility is real. I think some people can put on. She’s the same A’ja every room she walks in. She has a really grateful approach to life, and she always has. And she doesn’t expect anybody to give her anything,” Hammon said. “She expects to work for everything. I think that approach keeps her very driven. At this point… These numbers are ridiculous.”
Since Wilson was drafted No. 1 overall out of South Carolina in 2018, it’s hard to keep up with her many records and WNBA firsts. Even for her coach, who knows there’s more on the way.
“It seems like she’s breaking a record every day. So you start to lose track of them. Nothing surprises me with the woman… She keeps getting better and better,” Hammon said. “So far as records and how many she’s going to break — I have no idea. A lot. A lot when everything’s said and done.”
Wilson had already won her first career MVP award in 2020 before Hammon was hired to the lead the Aces. Even with Wilson’s success then, Hammon remembers the center being mostly limited to the low post, a comical idea compared to how versatile she is now.
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Hammon’s focus is setting up situations where Wilson “becomes the point guard,” for the Aces.
On Monday, Wilson finished 10 of 19 from the field with three 3-pointers, and 11 of 13 shooting from the free-throw line.
The Aces started the second quarter on a 19-6 run and led 50-43 at halftime with a huge boost from Wilson, who had 21 points in the first half.
“There’s really not an offensive area that she can’t do,” Hammon said. “Her expansion of her offensive floor game has just made her unguardable. I’m not ever going to put her in a box, I know that.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A’ja Wilson beats Diana Taurasi to 6,000 points for WNBA record
