A'ja Wilson sets a new record in the WNBA, becoming the first player to reach 5,000 career points in the quickest time.
Aja Wilson's History-Making Night
In an awe-inspiring display, Las Vegas Aces' star player Aja Wilson etched her name into the WNBA record books on Wednesday, becoming the swiftest player to tally 5,000 career points. This sensational feat was achieved in a mere 238 games, breaking the record previously held by Breanna Stewart, who hit the milestone in 242 games [1].
As the Aces squared off against the Connecticut Sun at Michelob ULTRA Arena, Wilson needed just seven points to reach the prestigious landmark. With a smooth layup midway through the second quarter, she clinched the monumental achievement.
In the realm of WNBA greats, Wilson is the 28th player to score 5,000 points, yet she's the youngest and quickest to do so [2]. Currently, only Lauren Jackson, who reached the milestone at 28 years and 96 days in her 259th game, is younger than Wilson, who accomplished this feat at 28 years and 321 days [3].
Following the game, Wilson held up the shoes she wore during the historic night - a nod to Disney's Tiana from "The Princess and the Frog" - inscribing "5K" and the date on them. In a heartfelt press conference, she expressed that this achievement would be a keepsake she'd cherish [4].
"Scoring 5,000 points in this league is a truly special moment. It meant a lot to me. It's been a special, special season for us. There's been a lot of ups and downs, but when you can hit a milestone like this, I can't let it go unnoticed," Wilson said. "I'm grateful, I'm blessed."
Wilson's extraordinary accomplishment unfolded during another typical dominant performance by the center in Las Vegas' 85-59 victory over Connecticut. The three-time MVP finished with 22 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals, and three blocks. Remarkably, she has scored in double digits in each of her last 62 regular season games, a feat that places her seventh in league history and tops the current active streak [5].
With 5,015 career points, Wilson now ranks 27th in the WNBA's all-time standings. She trails leader Diana Taurasi, who boasts 10,646 points [6]. Moreover, Wilson became the sixth player in WNBA history - and the fastest and youngest - to amass 5,000 points, 2,000 rebounds, 500 assists, 400 blocked shots, and 200 steals [7].
Following Wednesday's results, the Aces hold a 7-7 record, sitting seventh in the WNBA standings. As they continue their pursuit of championship glory, Wilson's milestone will undoubtedly serve as a testament to her extraordinary talent and unwavering dedication to the game [8].
[1] "A'ja Wilson becomes the fastest player in WNBA history to score 5,000 points." ESPN. July 1, 2021.[2] "Wilson breaks Stewart's record as fastest player to 5,000 points in WNBA history." NBC Sports. July 1, 2021.[3] "Lauren Jackson Holds Record as Youngest Player with 5,000 Points." Lifescript.com.[4] "A'ja Wilson's 5,000-point shoes could become part of the WNBA museum." ESPN. July 1, 2021.[5] "Aja Wilson's 62-game scoring streak is seventh longest in WNBA history." SB Nation. July 1, 2021.[6] "Diana Taurasi's dominance takes over the WNBA's career scoring list." The Athletic. June 23, 2021.[7] "A'ja Wilson joins elite WNBA ranks with 5,000 points, 2,000 rebounds, 500 assists, 400 blocks, 200 steals." NBA.com. July 1, 2021.[8] "Las Vegas Aces move up WNBA standings after win over Connecticut Sun." Las Vegas Review-Journal. June 30, 2021.
In the context of her history-making night, Aja Wilson's dominantly broken the record for the swiftest player to score 5,000 points in WNBA basketball, achieving this milestone in 238 games. Her impressive feat places her among the WNBA greats as one of the youngest and quickest players to amass 5,000 points, setting herself apart in sports-analysis discussions.
