LAS VEGAS (August 22, 2023)—A’ja Wilson erupted for a WNBA record-tying 53 points Tuesday evening, as the Las Vegas Aces topped the Atlanta Dream (16-17), 112-100. The win is the 29th of the season for the Aces (29-4), tying them with the 2014 Phoenix Mercury for the most victories in a season in WNBA history.
Box Score | Photos | Highlights
First Quarter Highlights (Atlanta 34, Las Vegas 33)
Leading by 3 with 2:47 gone off the clock, Las Vegas went on a 9-2 run to go up double figures, 18-8. The Dream immediately countered with an 8-0 run of their own to slice the Aces’ advantage to 2. Las Vegas was able to extend its lead back out to 7, but Atlanta went on a 12-1 run to re-take the lead. Atlanta made 60 percent of its shots in the period (12-20 FGs), and went 8 for 8 from the free throw line. Rhyne Howard led the Dream with 12 points. Las Vegas made 55.6 percent of its field goal attempts, and 11 of 12 from the charity stripe. Wilson scored 16 points in the quarter to lead all scorers, connecting on 6 of 8 shots from the field, 1 of 1 from 3-point range an all 3 of her free throw attempts.
Second Quarter Highlights (Las Vegas 56, Atlanta 55)
Neither team led by more than 4 points in the quarter as both teams’ offenses cooled off in the 2nd. The Dream made 42.9 percent of their field goal attempts, and committed 5 turnovers. Las Vegas connected on 37.5 percent of its shots and coughed up the ball 4 times. Both teams went 9 for 9 from the free throw line. Kelsey Plum scored 9 points for the Aces, making all of her shots in the period (3-3 FGs, 1-1 3FGs, 2-2 FTs). Howard matched Plum’s 9 points going 4 for 5 from the field.
Third Quarter Highlights (Las Vegas 82, Atlanta 68)
It was still just a 2-point Las Vegas lead with 7:08 to go in the 3rd, but the Aces scored 9-straight to back up double digits, and held the Dream to 5 points over the rest of the period. Wilson scored as many points as the Dream did in the quarter (13), as Las Vegas held Atlanta to 4 of 16 shooting from the floor. The Aces made 10 of 17 shots from the field (.588).
Fourth Quarter Highlights (Las Vegas 112, Atlanta 100)
Las Vegas extended its lead to as many as 22 in the period. Wilson scored 18 points in the quarter going a perfect 4 for 4 from the field and 10 for 10 from the free throw line. Haley Jones led the Dream with 15 points off the bench, as the Dream made 11 of 17 shots from the floor.
KEY STATS
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The Aces went 34 for 36 from the free throw line while the Dream made 28 of 33.
The Aces made 35 of 69 shots from the field (.507), and 8 of 19 from 3-point range (.421), while Atlanta went 33 for 67 from the field (.493), and 6 for 17 from beyond the arc (.353).
The Aces scored 14 points off 9 Atlanta turnovers, while the Dream scored 11 points off of 10 Las Vegas miscues.
Wilson scored a WNBA record-tying 53 points on 16 of 23 from the field and 20 for 21 from the free throw line.
GAME NOTES
Wilson’s 53 points tied Liz Cambage for the most points in a WNBA game.
Wilson scored 20 or more points for a league-best 24th time this season, and the 98th time in her career. She now ranks 19th in WNBA history for most career 20+ point games behind Brittney Griner in 18th place with 104.
It was also the 10th time in Wilson’s career that she has scored 30 or more points, tying her with Becky Hammon for most 30+ point games in franchise history.
It is the second time she has scored at least 40 points in a game this season, making her the 7th player in WNBA history to score 40 or more points in a game twice in the same year.
Wilson’s 20 made free throws are the second most ever in a WNBA game (22, Cynthia Cooper)
Chelsea Gray recorded her 8th point-assist double-double of the season (16 points, 12 assists), extending her franchise record for career point-assist double-doubles to 10. She just missed out on her 3rd career triple-double by 1 rebound
The Aces reached the 100+ point mark for the 9th time this season, which is one off the WNBA record of 10 in a season held by the 2010 Phoenix Mercury.
NEXT UP
The Aces remain on the road traveling to Chicago for a Thursday, August 24 meeting with the Sky. Tip is slated for 5 pm PT on Fox5 and the Silver Stats Sports & Entertainment Network.