A’ja Wilson poured in 45 points on 15-of-18 shooting as the Las Vegas Aces outlasted the Connecticut Sun 101-94 on Friday night, pushing the Sun toward a major relocation next season.
UNCASVILLE, Conn.. — The late-game momentum swung hard after A’ja Wilson found a rhythm that left Connecticut chasing shadows. and by the time the Sun tried to claw back. Las Vegas had already built a lead it wouldn’t surrender.. Wilson scored 45 points to power the Aces to a 101-94 victory over the short-handed Sun on Friday night.
Wilson was nearly untouchable from the field, going 15 for 18 and knocking down both of her three-point attempts. She also went 13-for-13 at the free-throw line as the Aces rode her efficiency to the finish.
“Finding shots in our system and letting the flow of the game take over,” Wilson said. “That’s big to me. I want to be efficient. It’s beautiful to rack up all these points, but to be efficient, that’s what is key.”
The performance carried history with it. It was the fifth time Wilson has scored over 40 points, a WNBA record. She broke a tie with Breanna Stewart and Diana Taurasi. Her career high remains 53, set on Aug. 22, 2023 against Atlanta.
Coach Becky Hammon pointed to the details that separated the night from a good one. “Really happy with the free throws. The threes, she just continued to sprinkle those in. She got a lot of early touches,” Hammon said.
Connecticut refused to go quietly when it tightened a 13-point deficit to 72-70 late in the third quarter. Wilson answered immediately, hitting a three-pointer out of a timeout and then following it with a three-point play. The burst sparked a decisive 16-4 run that effectively put the game away.
“It wasn’t really designed to be like that,” Wilson said of the sequence. “I was trying to take what the defence was giving me. (Raegan) Beers was playing a little bit off, so why not?”
Friday also carried personal ties and league-stage familiarity. Hammon’s star wasn’t alone; Wilson’s boyfriend, Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat, was in attendance. The moment echoed a shared highlight from earlier this year when Wilson attended Adebayo’s 83-point effort in March.
For Wilson, Mohegan Sun Arena has been more than a venue. This was potentially her last game there because the Sun are set to move to Houston next season.
“This building has been special to me for a while,” Wilson said. “Got my first WNBA point in this building and championship in this building. It’s fun coming here. … Going to miss this place.”
Chelsea Gray, a front-row witness to Wilson’s stretch of dominance over the last five seasons, put it simply.. “You can’t get bored with watching greatness,” Gray said.. “I’m around it all the time, but I’m surprised every day.. I never want to get to the spot where I’m comfortable, like, yeah, that’s unheard of.”
Las Vegas will wrap up its four-game trip at Atlanta on Sunday. Connecticut heads to Portland on Monday.
WNBA Las Vegas Aces Connecticut Sun A'ja Wilson Becky Hammon Chelsea Gray Bam Adebayo