A’ja Wilson, the star player of the Las Vegas Aces, achieved a remarkable milestone on Wednesday by becoming the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 5,000 career points. In their matchup against the Connecticut Sun at the Michelob ULTRA Arena, Wilson needed only seven points to hit this landmark. She accomplished this feat midway through the second quarter with a layup, bringing her total to 5,015 points by the end of the game.
This impressive milestone places Wilson as the 28th player in WNBA history to score 5,000 points, completing the achievement in just 238 games, outrunning the previous record held by Breanna Stewart, who accomplished the same in 242 games. Notably, at the age of 28 years and 321 days, Wilson is also the second-youngest player to reach this mark, following Lauren Jackson.
During her celebratory press conference, Wilson showcased her game shoes inspired by Tiana from “The Princess and the Frog,” which she labeled with “5K” and the date of her achievement. She expressed her deep appreciation for hitting such a milestone, stating, “It meant a lot to me. It’s been a special, special season for us.”
In addition to her scoring milestone, Wilson’s all-around performance against the Sun was critical to her team’s success. She recorded 22 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals, and three blocks in the Aces’ 85-59 victory. This game marked her 62nd consecutive regular-season game scoring in double digits, maintaining the longest active streak in the league.
Wilson’s accomplishments extend beyond mere scoring; she has now joined an elite group of players as the sixth, and the fastest and youngest, to reach 5,000 points alongside 2,000 rebounds, 500 assists, 400 blocked shots, and 200 steals. Aces head coach Becky Hammon praised Wilson’s achievements but noted her primary focus on team success, highlighting Wilson’s desire to win over individual accolades.
Currently, the Aces boast a 7-7 record, sitting seventh in the WNBA standings, trailing the Minnesota Lynx. However, Wilson’s historic outing not only signifies a personal achievement but also serves as an inspiring moment for her team as they work towards improving their standings in the league.