On August 22, A’ja Wilson made history when she scored 53 points in a 112-100 win over the Atlanta Dream – tying a WNBA record that has stood for more than five years. The only other WNBA player to score 53 points in a game was Liz Cambage, who put up a 53-piece vs. the New York Liberty in 2018.
A’ja Wilson put on quite a masterful performance on both ends of the floor – finishing the game with 53 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks in just over 33 minutes of action. She shot 16 of 23 (70%) from the floor, 1 of 1 (100%) from beyond the three-point line, and an impressive 20 of 21 (95%) from the charity stripe.
She opened the game with 16 points in the first quarter despite only playing 7.5 minutes – and ended the first half with 22 points (she shot just 1 of 5 in the second quarter). She packed on 13 points in the third quarter before putting on a clinic in the fourth quarter – 18 points without missing a shot or free throw.
A’ja Wilson Continues to Prove Her Worth in the WNBA
via Instagram (@aja22wilson)
A’ja Wilson continues to prove why she’s one of, if not the greatest WNBA player in the league right now. Her consistency and reliability on both ends of the floor are one of the primary reasons why the Las Vegas Aces are the best team in the WNBA and a large reason why they’re the defending champions.
In 187 games since entering the league as the No. 1 overall pick in 2018, Wilson is averaging 19.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game. She won Rookie of the Year in 2018, MVP in 2020 and 2022, and Defensive Player of the Year in 2022. She’s also an MVP finalist again this year.
53 points is something I never really expected out of A’ja Wilson. She can score 20 points like it’s nothing, but she doesn’t surpass the 30-point mark often. In fact, she only had 10 30-point games and one 40-point game before her 53-piece on August 22. I didn’t think she could do it, but she proved me wrong.
With that said, let’s take a look back at some of her most memorable performances since entering the league.
1. 40 Points, 12 Rebounds vs. Mystics (August 11, 2023)
It was a night of firsts for A'ja Wilson in the Aces win vs Mystics:
🏀1st player in WNBA history with 40 points in a game without a 3-pointer 🏀 1st career 40-point game 🏀1st player in Aces history with 40 points & 10 rebounds in a game pic.twitter.com/HTpILnIsTD
On August 11, 2023, A’ja Wilson scored 40 points to go along with 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 block in 31 minutes of action. She shot 17 of 25 (68%) from the floor, 0 of 1 (0%) from beyond the three-point line, and 6 of 7 (86%) from the charity stripe. The Aces went on to beat the Mystics 113-89.
It was the first 40-point game of her career and just the 10th time a WNBA player scored at least 40 points and grabbed at least 10 rebounds in the same game. She had 24 points and 7 rebounds in the first half and only played half of the final quarter. It remains the second-most points in a game in her career.
2. 39 Points, 11 Rebounds vs. Fever (June 29, 2019)
A'ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) was a FORCE to be reckoned with as she led the @LVAces to an OT win! 💪
On June 29, 2019, A’ja Wilson scored 39 points to go along with 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block in 41 minutes of action. She shot 14 of 20 (70%) from the floor and 11 of 14 (79%) from the charity stripe – she didn’t attempt a single three-pointer the whole game. The Aces beat the Fever 102-97 in overtime.
Wilson finished the first quarter with 12 points and 2 rebounds before walking into halftime with 24 points and 5 rebounds. She followed that up with 4 points and 2 rebounds in the third quarter, 8 points and 2 assists in the fourth quarter, and 5 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists in the five-minute overtime period.
3. 35 Points, 14 Rebounds vs. Lynx (July 22, 2023)
On July 22, 2023, A’ja Wilson scored 35 points to go along with 14 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals in just over 34 minutes of action. She shot 14 of 17 (82%) from the floor and 7 of 9 (78%) from the charity stripe – she didn’t attempt any three-pointers in the game. The Aces went on to beat the Lynx 98-81.
Wilson finished the first quarter with 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal in the first quarter and walked into halftime with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. She continued to dominate with 11 more points and 3 rebounds in the third quarter and 5 points and 4 rebounds in the closing quarter.
4. 35 Points, 13 Rebounds vs. Fever (June 12, 2018)
A'ja Wilson scored 35 points and grabbed 13 rebounds tonight in WNBA action
On June 12, 2018, A’ja Wilson scored 35 points to go along with 13 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks in just under 40 minutes of action. She shot 16 of 24 (67%) from the floor, 0 of 3 (0%) from beyond the three-point line, and 3 of 6 (50%) from the charity stripe. The Aces beat the Fever 101-92 in overtime.
Wilson finished the first quarter with 10 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 block before heading into halftime with 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists, and 2 blocks. She had just 2 points and 3 rebounds in the third and 7 points and 2 rebounds in the fourth, but erupted for 10 points and 4 rebounds in overtime.
5. 34 Points, 14 Rebounds vs. Sun (July 7, 2018)
With her 34-point, 14-rebound performance in the @LVAces' comeback win over Connecticut on Saturday, A’ja Wilson has all but locked up the ROY award 💯 pic.twitter.com/Hshs6TGUuj
On July 7, 2018, A’ja Wilson scored 34 points to go along with 14 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks in 34 minutes of action. She shot 13 of 24 (54%) from the floor and 8 of 9 (89%) from the charity stripe – she didn’t attempt any three-pointers in the game. The Aces ended up beating the Sun 94-90.
Wilson finished the first quarter with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block, and walked into halftime with 18 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks. She followed that up with another 7 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist in the third quarter before finishing with a crucial 9 points and 3 rebounds in the final quarter.
6. 35 Points, 11 Rebounds vs. Sparks (June 11, 2022)
On June 11, 2022, A’ja Wilson scored 35 points to go along with 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 4 blocks in 33 minutes of action. She shot 13 of 23 (57%) from the field, 1 of 4 (25%) from beyond the three-point line, and 8 of 8 (100%) from the charity stripe. The Aces went on to beat the Sparks 89-72.
Wilson finished the first quarter with 13 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block before adding another 9 points and 2 rebounds in the second quarter. She kept the momentum strong with 11 points, 1 assist, and 2 blocks in the third quarter and finished with 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block in the fourth.
7. 34 Points, 7 Rebounds vs. Wings (August 17, 2018)
On August 17, 2018, A’ja Wilson scored 34 points to go along with 7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 4 blocks in just under 38 minutes of action. She shot 15 of 20 (75%) from the floor and 4 of 6 (67%) from the charity stripe – she didn’t attempt a single three-pointer. Unfortunately, the Aces lost to the Wings 107-102.
Wilson opened the game with 12 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block in the first quarter before adding another 7 points and 1 rebound in the second quarter. She put up 11 points, 1 rebound, and 1 block in the third, but her 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks weren’t enough to secure a win in the fourth quarter.
8. 30 Points, 13 Rebounds vs. Liberty (June 3, 2021)
On June 3, 2021, A’ja Wilson scored 30 points to go along with 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks in just over 35 minutes of action. She shot 9 of 17 (53%) from the floor and a perfect 12 of 12 (100%) from the charity stripe, but didn’t shoot any three-pointers in the game. The Aces beat the Liberty 94-82.
Wilson opened the game with 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks in what was a masterful first quarter. She scored 6 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists in the second quarter before opening the second half with 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block. She added 4 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist in the fourth.
9. 30 Points, 10 Rebounds vs. Storm (September 2, 2023)
On September 2, 2023, A’ja Wilson scored 30 points to go along with 10 rebounds and 1 block in just over 27 minutes of action. She shot 12 of 21 (57%) from the floor, a perfect 1 of 1 (100%) from beyond the three-point line, and a perfect 5 of 5 (100%) from the charity stripe. The Aces beat the Storm 103-77.
Wilson opened the game with 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block in 8 minutes in the first quarter before adding a whopping 14 points and 5 rebounds before halftime. She followed that up with 9 points and 2 rebounds in the third quarter, but sat out the entire fourth quarter because her team had a large lead.
10. 30 Points, 9 Rebounds vs. Mercury (September 8, 2023)
On September 8, 2023, A’ja Wilson scored 30 points to go along with 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks in just under 30 minutes of action. She shot 13 of 17 (76%) from the floor, 0 of 1 (0%) from beyond the three-point line, and 4 of 5 (80%) from the charity stripe. The Aces ended up beating the Mercury 94-73.
Wilson opened the game with 8 points and 2 rebounds in the first quarter before walking into halftime with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block. She kept the pressure on with 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks in the third quarter, and added 6 more points in the fourth, despite only playing 4 minutes.
11. 31 Points, 5 Rebounds vs. Liberty (August 9, 2020)
A day after her birthday Las Vegas Aces A’ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) hit the game winner against the New York Liberty. She finished with 31 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. @LVAcespic.twitter.com/MoiMbQqmuz
On August 9, 2020, A’ja Wilson scored 31 points to go along with 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks in just under 39 minutes of action. She shot 10 of 17 (59%) from the floor and 11 of 12 (92%) from the charity stripe – she didn’t attempt any three-pointers in the game. The Aces beat the Liberty 78-76.
Wilson opened the game with 6 points and 1 assist in the first quarter, and walked into halftime with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks. She added another 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal in the third quarter before erupting for 12 points, 1 rebound, and 1 block in the final 10 minutes of action.
12. 28 Points, 14 Rebounds vs. Wings (June 13, 2021)
The Las Vegas Aces beat the Dallas Wings and A’ja Wilson had a BIG GAME scoring 28 points and 14 rebounds 🥵 pic.twitter.com/JTlX7gU6YP
On June 13, 2021, A’ja Wilson scored 28 points to go along with 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks in just over 35 minutes of action. She shot 10 of 18 (56%) from the floor and 8 of 9 (89%) from the charity stripe – she didn’t attempt any three-pointers in the game. The Aces defeated the Wings 85-78.
Wilson opened the game with 4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal before adding another 5 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block in the second quarter. She erupted for 12 points and 2 rebounds in the third quarter and was busy in the fourth quarter with 7 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block in 10 minutes.
13. 28 Points, 14 Rebounds vs. Lynx (June 25, 2021)
The stars stuffed the stat sheet in the Lynx's 90-89 OT win against the Aces.
On June 25, 2021, A’ja Wilson scored 28 points to go along with 14 rebounds, 1 assist, and 4 steals in just over 43 minutes of action. She shot just 9 of 24 (38%) from the floor and was 10 of 12 (83%) from the charity stripe – she didn’t attempt any three-pointers in the game. The Aces lost to the Lynx 89-90 in OT.
Wilson had a busy first quarter with 11 points and 2 rebounds, and walked into halftime with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. She opened the second half with 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals, and had 4 points and 6 rebounds in the fourth quarter, but her 2 points in overtime weren’t quite enough.
14. 28 Points, 14 Rebounds vs. Wings (August 8, 2023)
A'ja Wilson had herself a day:
🏀28 points, 14 rebounds 🏀Aces 20-point win 🏀Turned 27 years old
She's the first player to lead both teams outright in points and rebounds on her birthday since Tamika Catchings against Washington on her 30th birthday in 2009. pic.twitter.com/xuXEjLmhz5
On August 8, 2023, A’ja Wilson scored 28 points to go along with 14 rebounds and 1 assist in just over 24 minutes on her 27th birthday. She shot 10 of 18 (56%) from the floor and a perfect 8 of 8 (100%) from the charity stripe – she didn’t attempt any three-pointers in the game. The Aces beat the Wings 104-84.
Wilson opened the game with 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist in the first quarter before adding another 2 points and 4 rebounds in the second quarter. She exerted her dominance in the third quarter with an impressive 19 points and 4 rebounds and got to enjoy a birthday win from the bench in the fourth quarter.
15. 28 Points, 10 Rebounds vs. Fever (June 24, 2023)
On June 24, 2023, A’ja Wilson scored 28 points to go along with 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks in just over 30 minutes of action. She shot 8 of 15 (53%) from the floor, 1 of 3 (33%) from beyond the three-point line, and 11 of 16 (69%) from the charity stripe. The Aces went on to beat the Fever 101-88.
Wilson opened the game with 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block in the first quarter before adding another 9 points and 1 rebound in the second quarter. She had just 1 point and 1 rebound in the third quarter, but was impressive in the fourth quarter with 9 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block.
16. 25 Points, 16 Rebounds vs. Storm (June 19, 2018)
On June 19, 2019, A’ja Wilson scored 25 points to go along with 16 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 block in 34 minutes of action. She shot 11 of 19 (58%) from the floor and a perfect 3 of 3 (100%) from the charity stripe – she didn’t attempt a single three-pointer the entire game. The Aces weathered the Storm 89-77.
Wilson opened the game with 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist in the first 8 minutes of the game before adding another 4 points and 1 rebound in the second quarter. She was busy in the third with 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, and finished the fourth quarter with 4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block.
17. 22 Points, 16 Rebounds vs. Fever (September 8, 2020)
On September 8, 2020, A’ja Wilson scored 22 points to go along with 16 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks in just over 34 minutes of action. She shot 10 of 21 (48%) from the floor and 2 of 4 (50%) from the charity stripe – she didn’t attempt a single three-point shot. The Aces beat the Fever 92-86.
Wilson opened the game with 4 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block in the first quarter, and added another 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal before halftime. She opened the second half with 5 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the third before finishing with 7 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists in the fourth.
On July 5, 2018, A’ja Wilson scored 24 points to go along with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 7 blocks (career-high) in 35 minutes of action. She shot 10 of 23 (43%) from the floor and 4 of 6 (67%) from the charity stripe – she didn’t shoot any three-pointers in the game. The Aces defeated the Sky 84-80.
Wilson opened the game with 6 points and 2 blocks in the first quarter and followed that up with 9 points and 2 rebounds in the second quarter. She opened the second half with 8 points, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks before finishing with 1 point, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 blocks in the final 10 minutes of action.
19. 20 Points, 15 Rebounds vs. Storm (May 8, 2022)
On May 8, 2022, A’ja Wilson scored 20 points to go along with 15 rebounds, 2 assists, and 5 blocks in just over 35 minutes of action. She shot 8 of 14 (57%) from the floor, a perfect 1 of 1 (100%) from beyond the three-point line, and 3 of 5 (60%) from the charity stripe. The Aces weathered the Storm 85-74.
Wilson opened the game with 8 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block in the first eight minutes of play before adding another 2 points and 2 rebounds before halftime. She opened the second half with 7 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block before finishing with 3 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 blocks in the fourth.
20. 22 Points, 15 Rebounds vs. Wings (June 27, 2018)
On June 27, 2018, A’ja Wilson scored 22 points to go along with 15 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks in just over 36 minutes of action. She shot just 7 of 19 (37%) from the floor, but was 8 of 8 (100%) from the charity stripe – she didn’t shoot any threes in the game. The Aces lost to the Wings 91-97.
Wilson opened the game with 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 blocks in the first 10 minutes of play before adding another 6 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in the second quarter. She had 4 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block in the third, and finished with 6 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block in the fourth.
What’s Next for A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces?
A’ja Wilson has the Las Vegas Aces as the team to beat in the WNBA right now. Not only are they coming off their first-ever WNBA championship in 2022, but they’ve been hard to beat yet again during the 2023 season – becoming just the second team in WNBA history to win 24 of their first 26 games of the season.
While they’ve lost four games since then, they still became the first team in WNBA history to win 30 games in a season with their 94-87 victory over the Chicago Sky on August 25 – just three days after A’ja Wilson had her masterful 53-point performance. They currently have a 33-6 record with one game left.
The Aces will be searching for their second consecutive championship as they enter the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the WNBA, but it won’t come easy. The New York Liberty pose a threat after forming a superteam last offseason in an effort to compete with the Aces – chances are one of them win it all!
At The Buzzer, or ATB is the place for those who love sports, life, family, community, and so much more. We are far from the run-of-the-mill 24/7 sports news websites. We not only bring you what’s happening in the world of sports in terms of trades and breaking news, but we also bring you the news that goes on behind the scenes, like big life moments, and so much more. So take a minute and read one of our articles, we promise you won't regret it.
