After setting the WNBA single-season scoring record earlier this week, Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson added another unique distinction on Sunday.
Wilson became the first player in league history to ever score 1,000 points in a season during Sunday’s 84-71 win against the Connecticut Sun.
For context, this is the 2nd year that the WNBA is playing a 40 games per season. In 2022, the number of games was 36. The WNBA single-season scoring record last year was set by Jewel Lloyd, who scored 939 points, playing 38 games. Wilson set the 1,000 Points in 1 Season playing just 37 games.
A’ja Wilson became the WNBA’s single-season scoring leader and finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds to help the Las Vegas Aces beat the Indiana Fever 86-75 on Wednesday night for their 14th straight win in the series.
Wilson passed Jewell Loyd’s total of 939 points on a jumper from the free-throw line with 26.4 seconds left before halftime. Wilson needed just 35 games to top last year’s record by Loyd, who needed 38 games. Wilson’s previous high was 912 points, set in 40 games last season.
She finished the game with 956 points this season and could potentially be the first player in league history to reach 1,000 in a year.
This is a good measuring stick for the Fever to gauge on how they fare against the best team and facing the best player in the WNBA. Add the shooting woes of Caitlin Clark and foul trouble on Aliyah Boston. Kelsey Mitchell, as always kept them in the game but not enough for them to overcome the 12-point deficit.
Las Vegas Aces is the only team that the Indiana Fever have not beat this season and they will have another chance this Saturday, Sept 14th.
Playing without Marc Pingris, Rafi Reavis and Jio Jalalon is not a problem with the rebranded Magnolia Hotshots, as Paul Lee pick-up the slack and scored a game high of 30 points in just 24 minutes of action. Lee got some help from Bam Gamalinda, Rome dela Rosa and Ian Sangalang, who scored 15, 13 and 10, respectively.
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero later revealed that Paul Lee only got three days of practice, “Three days pa lang nag-eensayo yan. Iba talaga ang puso niya,”
Alaska even after a strong start scoring 20-10 in the early period but failed keep up with Magnolia as they capture the lead 57-47 in the next period. The game was physical which is an advantage for the Aces, double fouls was slapped to Abueva – Dela Rosa, and Lee – Vic Manuel.
Magnolia’s next assignment will be the Barangay Ginebra for a Christmas showdown at the Philipine Arena, while Alaska will face TNT Katropa on the 29th of December at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Scores:
Magnolia Hotshots 108 — Lee 30, Gamalinda 15, Sangalang 13, Dela Rosa 10, Simon 9, Herndon 9, K. Pascual 9, Barroca 6, Melton 3, Ramos 2, Brondial 2.
Alaska Aces 95 — Abueva 20, Manuel 20, Teng 16, Casio 10, R. Pascual 7, Enciso 5, Exciminiano 5, Banchero 4, Thoss 3, J. Pascual 2, Cruz 2, Magat 1
