Lakers’ LeBron James, WNBA Fans Hype A’ja Wilson for Historic 42-Point Game vs. Wings
Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVAugust 28, 2024
Sam Hodde/Getty Images
The Las Vegas Aces came up short in Tuesday’s 93-90 loss to the Dallas Wings, but A’ja Wilson did everything she could.
The two-time MVP poured in 42 points to go with six rebounds, three blocks, two assists and one steal in a brilliant individual performance. She was 16-of-22 from the field and 10-of-13 from the free-throw line in a showing that was as efficient as it was impressive.
Wilson drew plenty of love from social media, some of which came from Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, as she joined Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore as the only players in WNBA history to score 40 or more points three different times:
LeBron James @KingJamesLil sis going crazy right now!!!! @_ajawilson22 😤😤💪🏾
SportsCenter @SportsCenterA’JA WILSON JOINED ELITE COMPANY 🔥
Despite the loss to the Wings, Wilson became the fourth player in WNBA history with 3 or more 40-pt games, joining Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore. pic.twitter.com/WMnoALiqPB
Real Sports @realapp_A’Ja Wilson is 1 of 1. pic.twitter.com/cSqcK9o7wM
Overtime @overtimeA’JA WILSON WENT DUMMY VS THE WINGS 🔥
42 PTS
16/22 FG
6 REB
3 BLK
MVP????? pic.twitter.com/NyujE9NnhL
Young Prince @YoungPrince_41 POINTS A’JA UNANIMOUS MVP WILSON
cosmo puts eggs on his ketchup @remplestillskinA’ja Wilson is the best player in the WNBA and its not even close!
Grace @gracesporttakesidc what anyone says A’ja Wilson is one of one and you should appreciate watching her play basketball because it’s greatness pic.twitter.com/bz8YDGJkJa
TJ Keasal @_talkswithtjA’ja Wilson is DIFFERENT!!!!!!!!!!!!
From all the others! 1 of A’ONE!
42 points 😤😤😤 she did HER JOB! pic.twitter.com/XU60Smspdj
Kay3️⃣ @1of1Kay3I am an A’JA WILSON FAN. Been that for 10+ years. Her team isn’t the best in the world. She is.
Legion Hoops @LegionHoopsDespite the loss, A’ja Wilson is OUT OF THIS WORLD.
42 points… 73% FG. Insane. pic.twitter.com/AQdIZegWNl
HarrietEve9 @HarrietEve9A’ja Wilson dropped a 40 piece 😤👑🦾🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 #BeastMode pic.twitter.com/Yg1P5X9scF
Unfortunately for the Aces, it wasn’t enough to earn a victory. Wilson was the only player on the team to finish with more than 17 points, and Kelsey Plum struggled to fill her typical secondary scoring role with eight points on 3-of-10 shooting from the field.
Wilson’s free throw with 46 seconds remaining put Las Vegas ahead 90-89, but Dallas scored the final four points with free throws from Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally. Wilson missed a three-pointer at the buzzer, which would have forced overtime if she converted.
Still, it was more of the same for the dominant big.
She is well on her way to a third MVP and entered play averaging 26.6 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 2.3 assists and 2.0 steals while shooting 51.2 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from deep.
Her presence is a major reason the Aces are back-to-back champions and figure to challenge for a third consecutive title once the playoffs start even though they are fifth in the WNBA standings at 18-12.
If Wilson plays like she did Tuesday, Las Vegas will be a daunting out for any team regardless of its seed.
