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    Monday, October 07, 2024

    A'ja Wilson reaches 1,000 points becoming first WNBA player to do it in a season as Aces top Sun

    Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) shoots over Connecticut Sun forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa (10) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

    Las Vegas — A’ja Wilson became the first WNBA player to score 1,000 points in a season when she had 29 in the Las Vegas Aces' 84-71 win over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday.

    Wilson hit a pull-up from the elbow with 2 minutes left in the game to reach the mark. Earlier this week, the Aces' star broke the single-season scoring record that Jewell Loyd set last year. Las Vegas called timeout about 30 seconds later and her teammates mobbed Wilson.

    She then went out on the court and acknowledged a loud ovation from the crowd clapping her hands.

    The Aces (25-13) hold a one-game lead over Seattle for the No. 4 seed in the playoffs and home-court advantage in that series. Las Vegas has won seven of its last eight games.

    Connecticut (27-11) trails the Minnesota Lynx by two games for the No. 2 seed. The two teams play in Connecticut on Tuesday.

    The Sun made just 4 of 16 from the field — 0 of 5 from 3-point range — in the third quarter as the Aces stretched an eight-point lead at halftime to 71-51 going into the fourth. Young’s pull-up jumper midway through the period made it 58-47 and Las Vegas led by double figures the rest of the way. Wilson was dominant at both ends, making 6 of 8 from the field and both of her 3-point shots while scoring 14 points with four rebounds and two blocks in the third quarter.

    Marina Mabrey led the Sun with 18 points. Brionna Jones added 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting and nine rebounds and Tyasha Harris scored 16 points.

    Jones is averaging 20.1 points per game on 66% (59 of 89) shooting in seven games during the month of September.

    Kelsey Plum, who finished with 14 points, hit a 3-pointer to five the Aces the lead for good and spark an 11-1 run that made it 48-40 when she capped the spurt with a step-back jumper to close the first half.

    Las Vegas Aces center Megan Gustafson (17) shoots a layup against Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner (24) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
    Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) shoots between Connecticut Sun forwards Alyssa Thomas (25) and DeWanna Bonner (24) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
    Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots against Las Vegas Aces center Kiah Stokes (41) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
    Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon, left, talks with assistant coach Natalie Nakase during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
    Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) drives around Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner (24) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
    Connecticut Sun head coach Stephanie White reacts during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Las Vegas Aces, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
    Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates after making a basket during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
    Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) is fouled as she tries to shoot between Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) and guard Jackie Young (0) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
    Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson laughs during warmups before a WNBA basketball game against the Las Vegas Aces, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

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