A’ja Wilson is only four games into her ninth WNBA season, and she’s already added another historic performance to her lengthy entry in the WNBA’s all-time record book.
The Las Vegas Aces center scored 45 points in a 101-94 win over the young and short-handed Connecticut Sun on Friday night at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
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Wilson shot 15-for-18 from the field and made all 13 of her free throw attempts in the victory. The performance marked her fifth career 40-point game, which is the most in WNBA history. She’s also the only player in WNBA history to score 45 or more points on 80% shooting from the field.
Wilson is no stranger to making big memories at Mohegan Sun Arena. The No. 1 pick out South Carolina made her WNBA debut on the Sun’s home court, scoring 14 points along with 10 rebounds in a 101–65 loss to the Connecticut Sun on May 21, 2018. Just three years later, Wilson and the Aces were crowned WNBA champions on that very same court.
This was likely her last game there, as the Sun organization is set to move and rebrand next season in the return of the Houston Comets.
The sentimental value wasn’t lost on Wilson.
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“This building has been special to me for a while,” she said. “Got my first WNBA point in this building, won our first championship in this building. And now we’re leaving here with something, but it’s definitely been a lot fun coming here. We make the most out of it, and I think we get closer when we come to Mohegan. … Gonna miss this place.”
Chennedy Carter added 18 points off the bench for the Aces, who have now won three straight games since their opening-night no-show against the Phoenix Mercury.
Aces point guard Chelsea Gray, who recorded 10 assists and seven rebounds, offered a reminder not to take Wilson for granted.
“You can’t get bored watching greatness,” Gray said. “I’m around it all the time, but I’m surprised every day. I never want to get to the spot where I’m comfortable.”
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That compliment didn’t come without a little humor, as Gray also marveled at Wilson making all of her free throws.
“This is historic,” Wilson responded.
Aces coach Becky Hammon said in addition to perfection at the free-throw line, Wilson made both of her 3-point attempts.
Wilson, who will fittingly turn 30 this year amid the league’s 30th season, said playing against the Sun made her feel young again.
Second-year guard Hailey Van Lith scored 17 points to lead Connecticut, which trailed 69-56 with just under four minutes to go in the third quarter before Van Lith’s draft classmate Saniya Rivers led a 14-3 run to bring the team within two points of the Aces lead.
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That was as close as it got for the Sun, which was without veteran center Brittney Griner for the second consecutive game (left foot injury). Olivia Nelson-Ododa (right ankle injury) was also out.
“Playing against a young team is always exciting to me because it’s a good measuring stick on my conditioning,” laughs “Because they’re just running and gunning. But I think they have something brewing here that’s going to be special, once they start really playing as a collective and getting things moving. They have such a young core group that if they stay together for a little while, something really good could happen.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A’ja Wilson drops most efficient 45-points in WNBA history in Aces’ win
