A’ja Wilson makes WNBA history: Fastest to 5,000 career points
Las Vegas Aces superstar cements her legacy with record-breaking performance at Michelob Ultra Arena
The crowd at Michelob Ultra Arena erupted in a moment that will be remembered in Las Vegas sports history. As A’ja Wilson’s shot found its mark with 4:04 remaining in the second quarter Wednesday night, the three-time MVP became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 5,000 career points, achieving the milestone in just 238 games during the Aces’ dominant 85-59 victory over the Connecticut Sun.
A historic moment celebrated by all
The significance of the moment wasn’t lost on anyone in the arena. Players from both teams stopped mid-game to acknowledge Wilson’s achievement, with teammate Chelsea Gray committing what appeared to be an intentional foul just to create time for celebration. Even Connecticut’s veteran center Tina Charles made a point to embrace Wilson, demonstrating the respect the 28-year-old has earned across the league.
Wilson’s emotional response – slapping the court in acknowledgment – captured the magnitude of what she had just accomplished. Breaking Breanna Stewart’s previous record of 242 games, Wilson surpassed expectations by four full games, with Diana Taurasi (243 games) rounding out the top three fastest to the milestone.
“It meant a lot to me. It’s been a special season for us,” Wilson reflected after the game. “It’s been a lot of ups and downs, but when you can hit a milestone like this in a league like this, I can’t let it go unnoticed. So I’m grateful. I’m blessed.”
Record-breaking performance in context
Wilson finished the night with 22 points and eight rebounds, leading the Aces (7-7) to their convincing victory. Jackie Young contributed 20 points while Chelsea Gray added 15 in a balanced offensive attack that showcased the depth of the two-time defending champions.
The record caps off an already incredible career trajectory for Wilson. Last season, she became the first player in WNBA history to score 1,000 points in a single season, breaking teammate Jewell Loyd’s 2023 mark of 939 points. Her consistent excellence has made her one of the most dominant forces the league has ever seen.
The achievement places Wilson among elite company in WNBA history. Diana Taurasi, who retired earlier this year as the league’s all-time leading scorer with 10,646 points, needed five more games to reach the same milestone, underscoring just how remarkable Wilson’s scoring pace has been throughout her career.
Superstar status on full display
The celebration extended well beyond the court. Gatorade announced during the game that they were releasing a limited edition bottle in honor of Wilson’s accomplishment, while fans presented her with various memorabilia to sign following the wire-to-wire victory.
Wilson arrived at the postgame news conference carrying a special pair of her signature Nike A’Ones, which she had personally customized with “5K” and the date. The green shoes drew inspiration from Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog,” a film Wilson credits with providing important life lessons.
“That movie teaches me a lot of lessons,” Wilson explained. “And sometimes when I need a pick-me-up, I always watch ‘The Princess and the Frog.’ It’s pretty good. I suggest everyone check it out.”
The personal touch on her shoes marked a first for Wilson, who said she had never written on her own signature footwear before and planned to retire this particular pair as a keepsake of the historic night.
Coach Hammon’s perspective on greatness
Despite Wilson’s numerous brand endorsements and superstar status, Aces coach Becky Hammon emphasized that her star player never loses sight of what matters most. Hammon’s approach to coaching Wilson reflects a relationship built on honest communication and shared championship aspirations.
“We’re talking about points, but she’s equally as good on the defensive end. She’s just a really special player. She wants to be great. I can coach her hard. She wants to be told the truth,” Hammon noted. “I can look around the league and a lot of other leagues where superstars don’t really want it. They say they want it. They don’t really want the truth. She’s somebody who really wants the truth.”
That coachability was evident in Hammon’s reaction to the historic moment. Rather than calling timeout to extend the celebration, Hammon kept the team focused on the task at hand. Her postgame summary was characteristically direct: “Great job. Good job. Keep it pushing.”
Team cuccess remains the priority
While individual accolades continue to pile up, Wilson and the Aces remain focused on their ultimate goal: winning championships. The team is still searching for what Hammon calls the “unicorn” of a complete 40-minute performance, even after Wednesday’s convincing victory.
The Aces never trailed against Connecticut, opening with a dominant 19-0 run that featured eight points from Jewell Loyd. However, the Sun managed to cut the deficit to 40-36 midway through the third quarter, reminding Las Vegas that consistency remains a work in progress.
“Our offense was trash,” Hammon said candidly about the stretch that allowed Connecticut to threaten. “You can’t have those lapses where you’re not scoring and they’re scoring, and that’s really what was happening. But when we’re organized and we set screens, and we somewhat know what everybody’s doing, we’re much more efficient.”
Looking forward
The victory snapped a concerning trend for Connecticut, extending their losing streak to seven games and dropping them to 2-13 on the season. For Las Vegas, the win provided a boost heading into a challenging back-to-back against the Washington Mystics on Thursday.
Wilson’s perspective on the historic achievement reflects her team-first mentality that has made her beloved in Las Vegas. While she plans to cherish the moment, her focus quickly shifted to the work ahead.
“I’m definitely gonna cherish this moment, because it’s been a lot of fun,” Wilson said. “But obviously we got a lot of work to do.”
As Hammon pointed out, Wilson’s individual success, while impressive, takes a backseat to the team’s championship aspirations: “She gets all these individual numbers and accolades, but I can tell you, she would trade them in a second for winning.”
A legacy in the making
A’ja Wilson’s latest milestone adds another chapter to what’s already shaping up as one of the greatest careers in WNBA history. At just 28 years old, with a pace that outstrips even the league’s greatest scorers, Wilson continues to redefine what’s possible in women’s basketball.
For Las Vegas fans, Wednesday night represented more than just a statistical achievement – it was a reminder of the special talent that calls their city home. As Wilson continues her pursuit of team and individual excellence, the 5,000-point milestone serves as both a celebration of past achievements and a promise of greater things to come.
In a city known for spectacular performances and record-breaking moments, A’ja Wilson has once again proven that the brightest stars in Las Vegas aren’t always found on the Strip – sometimes they’re lighting up the court at Michelob Ultra Arena, making history one game at a time.
Image Source: https://www.timescolonist.com/basketball/aja-wilson-becomes-fastest-in-wnba-history-to-5000-points-aces-beat-the-sun-10865780
Category: Sports
Subcategory: Sporting Events
Date: 06/26/2025
