A’ja Wilson has only been in the WNBA for six years and has already accomplished so much with the Las Vegas Aces, but there was one thing she had yet to accomplish – a 40-point game. She came close in 2019 when she scored 39 points and added 11 rebounds in an overtime win against the Indiana Fever.
Of course, that all changed on August 11 when her Aces matched up against the Washington Mystics. Wilson finished the game with 40 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 block in 31 minutes of action. Her strong performance was a big reason why the Aces ended up beating the Mystics 113-89.
We’ve seen A’ja Wilson go off before – I mean, we’re talking about a 27-year-old who already has nine 30-point games and seven 30-point double-doubles – but we’ve never seen her go off like this. Not only did she score 40 points for the first time in her career, but she did so without making a three-pointer.
WNBA Players Who Had 40+ Points and 10+ Rebounds in Single Game
A’ja Wilson’s 40-point, 12-rebound game was impressive on the surface, but it was even more impressive when you consider the historical aspect of it. For example, there have only been 32 instances where a player scored at least 40 points in a game – the record currently stands at 53 points (Liz Cambage).
Not only that, but it was just the 10th time in WNBA history that a player finished with at least 40 points and at least 10 rebounds in the same game – three of which came during the 2023 season. A’ja became just the eighth player in WNBA history to achieve it and it came just three days after her 27th birthday.
It’s nights like August 11 that remind us just how dominant A’ja is when on the floor – she leaves it all out there and it’s a big reason why the Aces are the best team in the WNBA. To honor her accomplishment and those that came before her, let’s break down all 10 40+ point, 10+ rebound games in WNBA history.
1. Lisa Leslie – 41 points, 13 rebounds (June 25, 2006)
On June 25, 2006, Lisa Leslie – a center for the Los Angeles Sparks – had 41 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block in 35 minutes of action. Her performance was a large reason why her Sparks defeated the San Antonio Silver Stars 105-80 – improving the team’s record to 11-3 on the year.
It marked the first time a WNBA player scored at least 40 points and grabbed at least 10 rebounds in the same game. She shot 16 of 23 (70%) from the field, 2 of 2 (100%) from beyond the three-point line, and 7 of 9 (78%) from the charity stripe. Her 41 points were more than half of what the entire Silver Stars’ had.
Lisa Leslie was no stranger to big games. She scored at least 20 points in 126 games and at least 30 points in 14 games, but her 41 points on June 25, 2006 were a career-high. She also had an impressive 32-point, 7-rebound performance against the Connecticut Sun on June 17, 2006 – just one week prior.
Leslie spent her entire 12-year career with the Sparks and averaged 17.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.3 blocks in 32.0 minutes per game (363 games played). The Hall of Fame center was a three-time MVP, three-time All-Star MVP, two-time WNBA champion, and 8-time All-Star.
2. Lauren Jackson – 47 points, 14 rebounds (July 24, 2007)
On July 24, 2007, Lauren Jackson – a forward-center for the Seattle Storm – had 47 points, 14 rebounds, and 1 assist in 42 minutes of action. It was quite the performance, considering only five players in WNBA history have scored at least 47 points in a game – only two of those players had 10+ rebounds.
It marked the second time a WNBA player scored 40+ points and grabbed 10+ rebounds in a single game. She shot 18 of 28 (64%) from the floor, 2 of 4 (50%) from the three-point line, and 9 of 11 (82%) from the charity stripe. Her team lost 96-97 in overtime and she nearly outscored the rest of her team.
Lauren Jackson was drafted by the Seattle Storm with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 WNBA Draft and went on to spend her entire 12-year career with the team. She averaged 18.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.8 blocks in 32.0 minutes per game (317 games played) in her legendary career.
She retired after the 2012 season and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021. She was a three-time MVP (2003, 2007, 2010), 7-time All-Star, and two-time WNBA champion (2004, 2010) with the Storm. The 6-foot-6 forward-center was also the 2007 Defensive Player of the Year and the Finals MVP in 2010.
3. Candace Parker – 40 points, 16 rebounds (July 9, 2008)
On July 9, 2008, Candace Parker – a forward-center for the Los Angeles Sparks – had 40 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 5 blocks in 42 minutes of action. Her performance was a large reason why the Sparks defeated the Houston Comets 82-74 – improving the team’s record to 12-6 on the year.
It marked the third time a WNBA player scored at least 40 points and grabbed at least 10 rebounds in the same game. She shot 15 of 23 (65%) from the field, 1 of 2 (50%) from beyond the three-point line, and 9 of 12 (75%) from the charity stripe. She nearly outscored the rest of her own team with her 40 points.
While it was the only 40-point game of Candace Parker’s career, she was no stranger to big games – scoring at least 20 points in 127 games in her career and at least 30 points in 18 games in her career. She also had at least 10 rebounds in 101 games and at least 10 assists in three games in her career.
Parker is currently playing in her 16th season in the WNBA – 13 of which with the Los Angeles Sparks – and is averaging 16.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks in 30.4 minutes per game (410 games played). She’s a two-time MVP, 7-time All-Star, and two-time WNBA champion.
4. Maya Moore – 48 points, 10 rebounds (July 22, 2014)
On July 22, 2014, Maya Moore – a forward for the Minnesota Lynx – went off for 48 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block in 46 minutes of action. Her performance was a large reason why the Lynx defeated the Atlanta Dream 112-108 in two overtime periods – improving the team’s record to 18-6.
It marked the fourth time a WNBA player scored at least 40 points and grabbed at least 10 rebounds in the same game. She shot 16 of 30 (53%) from the field, 7 of 9 (78%) from beyond the three-point line, and 9 of 11 (82%) from the charity stripe. Her 48 points are the third-most in a game in WNBA history.
Believe it or not, this wasn’t the only 40-point performance for Moore. She had a 40-point, 5-rebound game on August 2, 2014 (nearly two weeks after her 48-point game) and had a 40-point, 8-rebound game on July 7, 2016. She came close to joining this list twice with 38 points and 13 rebounds on May 23, 2014.
Moore ended up playing eight years in the WNBA (all with the Lynx) before retiring after the 2018 season. She averaged 18.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 31.2 minutes per game (271 games played). She was a 6-time All-Star, 4-time WNBA champion, and was named MVP in 2014.
5. Elena Delle Donne – 45 points, 11 rebounds (June 24, 2015)
On June 24, 2015, Elena Delle Donne – a forward for the Chicago Sky – had 45 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, and 6 blocks in 44 minutes of action. Her impressive performance was a large reason why the Sky defeated the Atlanta Dream 100-96 in overtime – improving the team’s record to 4-3 on the season.
It marked the fifth time a WNBA player scored at least 40 points and grabbed at least 10 rebounds in the same game. She shot 12 of 20 (60%) from the field, 2 of 4 (50%) from beyond the three-point line, and a perfect 19 of 19 (100%) from the charity stripe. She’s one of just eight players to score at least 45 points.
This wasn’t the only 40-point game of Delle Donne’s career. In fact, she was just one rebound away from being on this list twice – she had 40 points and 9 rebounds in a 93-101 loss to the Tulsa Shock on June 6, 2015 (18 days before her 45-point game). She also had 38 points and 10 rebounds on July 5, 2016.
Delle Donne is currently playing in her 10th season in the WNBA and is averaging 19.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks in 30.4 minutes per game (233 games played). She’s a two-time MVP, 7-time All-Star, 2019 WNBA champion, and was named Rookie of the Year in 2013.
6. Liz Cambage – 53 points, 10 rebounds (July 17, 2018)
On July 17, 2018, Liz Cambage – a center for the Dallas Wings – went off for 53 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 5 blocks in 37 minutes of action. Her historical performance was a large reason why the Wings defeated the New York Liberty 104-87 – improving the team’s record to 13-9 on the season.
It not only marked the sixth time a WNBA player scored at least 40 points and grabbed at least 10 rebounds in the same game, but it also set a new record for most points scored in a single game – no other WNBA player has ever hit the 50-point mark. Who knows when we’ll see someone do it again.
Cambage shot 17 of 22 (77%) from the field, 4 of 5 (80%) from beyond the three-point line, and 15 of 16 (94%) from the charity stripe. Her performance was that much more special because it came during a season that saw her make a return to the WNBA after playing five years of pro basketball overseas.
She was drafted by the Tulsa Shock with the No. 2 overall pick in 2011 and spent the next two years with the team before heading to China. She returned in 2018 and last played in 2022. Throughout her career, she averaged 15.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.6 blocks in 24.5 minutes per game.
7. Liz Cambage – 43 points, 13 rebounds (August 17, 2018)
On August 17, 2018, Liz Cambage – a center for the Dallas Wings – went off for 43 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 assists in 34 minutes of action. It came exactly one month after her historical 53-point game and in the same year she made her return to the WNBA – it was her way of showing the league she’s back.
Not only was it the seventh time a WNBA player scored at least 40 points and grabbed at least 10 rebounds in the same game, but it was the first time in WNBA history that a player did it twice in their career – let alone one month from one another. I don’t know about you, but that’s what I call dominance.
Cambage shot 14 of 20 (70%) from the floor, 2 of 2 (100%) from the three-point line, and 13 of 16 (81%) from the charity stripe. She came close to being on this list a third time with 37 points and 10 rebounds on July 3, 2018, and a fourth time with 37 points and 9 rebounds on August 2, 2018 – all in the same season.
She finished that 2018 season with 23.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.5 steals, and 1.7 blocks in 29.5 minutes per game (32 games played). She scored at least 25 points in 12 of those games – which is crazy to think about, considering she has only scored at least 25 points in 16 games during her career.
8. Breanna Stewart – 45 points, 12 rebounds (May 21, 2023)
On May 21, 2023, Breanna Stewart – a forward for the New York Liberty – went off for 45 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block in 30 minutes of action. It was just her second game in a Liberty uniform and came during her home debut with the team – she signed with the Liberty in the offseason.
It marked the eighth time a WNBA player scored at least 40 points and grabbed at least 10 rebounds in the same game, but the first time in nearly five years. She shot 15 of 21 (71%) from the floor, 6 of 9 (67%) from beyond the three-point line, and a perfect 9 of 9 (100%) from the charity stripe in the 90-73 win.
She opened the game with 19 points and 4 rebounds in the first quarter and added another 10 points and 3 rebounds in the second quarter. She exploded yet again with 16 points and 3 rebounds in the third quarter and could’ve added to her total even more, but she only played two minutes in the fourth quarter.
Stewart was drafted by the Seattle Storm with the No. 1 overall pick in 2016 and spent six years with the team – she’s currently in her first season with the Liberty. Throughout her career, she’s averaging 20.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.5 blocks in 32.7 minutes per game (213 games).
9. Breanna Stewart – 43 points, 12 rebounds (July 5, 2023)
On July 5, 2023, Breanna Stewart – a forward for the New York Liberty – went off for 43 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks in 38 minutes of action. Her performance helped lead the Liberty to a 99-95 victory over the Phoenix Mercury, despite being outscored 21-26 in the final quarter.
It not only marked the ninth time a WNBA player scored at least 40 points and grabbed at least 10 rebounds in the same game, but it marked the second time a WNBA player did so twice – let alone in the same season. Her two impressive performances came less than two months away from one another.
Stewart shot 13 of 20 (65%) from the floor, 3 of 4 (75%) from beyond the three-point line, and 14 of 16 (88%) from the charity stripe. She had just 19 points and 5 rebounds at halftime, but turned it up a notch in the second half with 7 points in the third quarter, and 17 points and 5 rebounds in the fourth quarter.
She’s no stranger to big games, having scored at least 20 points in 120 of her 213 games (more than half) and at least 30 points in 21 of those games. More recently, she almost made this list a third time when she scored 42 points and 6 rebounds on August 13 in a 100-89 win against the Indiana Fever.
10. A’ja Wilson – 40 points, 12 rebounds (August 11, 2023)
On August 11, 2023, A’ja Wilson – a forward for the Las Vegas Aces – had 40 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 block in 31 minutes of action. It was her first 40-point game and helped lead her Aces to an impressive 113-89 victory over the Washington Mystics – improving their record to 26-3.
She shot 17 of 25 (68%) from the floor, 0 for 1 (0%) from beyond the three-point line, and 6 of 7 (86%) from the charity stripe. She was a woman on a mission in the first half, scoring 24 points and grabbing 7 rebounds before adding another 16 points and 5 rebounds in the second half. There was no stopping her.
It not only marked the 10th time a WNBA player scored 40 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the same game, but it marked the first 40-point game of Wilson’s career. Through 179 games in her career, she has scored at least 20 points in 95 of those games and scored at least 30 points in nine of those games.
Wilson was drafted by the Aces with the No. 1 overall pick in 2018 and is now playing in her sixth season in the league. She’s averaging 19.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.8 blocks in 30.5 minutes per game (179 games played). She’s a two-time MVP, 5-time All-Star, and 2022 champion.
WNBA Players Who Are Bound to Join This List Soon
Scoring at least 40 points and grabbing at least 10 rebounds in the same game is a rare feat in the WNBA, but it’s something we’ll likely see a lot more of in the near future. With players scoring at an impressive rate in recent years, the list above will continue to grow – which is exciting to think about.
While we can expect A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart to do it again at some point, there are several others who we should keep our eye on. Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi, Rhyne Howard, DeWanna Bonner, and Arike Ogunbowale have all scored 40+ points in a game, but not with 10+ rebounds.
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Other players to keep an eye on include Nneka Ogwumike, Satou Sabally, Aliyah Boston, Jonquel Jones, Natasha Howard, Napheesa Collier, NaLyssa Smith, Cheyenne Parker, and Ezi Magbegor – all of whom have proven themselves both as scorers and rebounders. Who do you think is next up?
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