Las Vegas Aces' A'ja Wilson led the team to a 95-81 victory over the Dallas Wings on Wednesday, blazing through the season toward another possible 2024 WNBA MVP win. It was a historic night for the Aces star, who shot 36 points, secured 14 rebounds, and got six steals.
Twelve of Wilson's 36 season-high points were made during the first quarter of the game, where veteran Tiffany Hayes suited up and made her first buckets for the team since signing with the Aces.
Wilson started the matchup with a spin and putback, followed by a hail of threes from her galaxy of teammates. By the end of the first, Dallas had begun to close the gap but couldn't quite keep up with the re-energized Aces.
Las Vegas led by as many as 20 points in the first half. But the Wings were not going down without a fight. Dallas' Arike Ogunbowale, known for her scoring prowess, led the Wings with a game-high 31 points, committing an eight-0 run in the heated second quarter. Her performance was a testament to her skill and her team's resilience.
By the half, it was a close 47 to 42. But that would be the last time the two teams would be neck-to-neck. Wilson ended the half with an astonishing 20 points, a performance that gave the Aces a significant boost and set the stage for their dominant second half.
Back-to-back threes from Jackie Young in the third quarter propelled the back-to-back champions ahead 63 to 52. Both Young and Plum put up nearly 20 points each to help secure the final 95-81 win.
The matchup was the first contest in the fourth annual Commissioner's Cup for the Aces.
Aces have the real WNBA MVP
On Wednesday night, A'ja Wilson had her 10th career game with more than 30 points and 10 rebounds, a feat that places her in an elite class.
Only six others in WNBA history can say the same: Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, Tina Charles, Lauren Jackson, Brittney Griner, and Breanna Stewart. This achievement underscores Wilson's exceptional talent and her potential to leave a lasting mark on the league.
Along with Stewart, Wilson is the second player in WNBA history to record multiple games of at least 36 points and 12 boards. The Aces were 36 to Dallas' 33 in the paint. Wilson shot 15-of-22 from the field. She now leads the WNBA in scoring average of 27.9 points per game.
The two-time Defensive Player of the Year reminded the crowd at College Park Center of her title with a crazy block. It was the type of block that elicits a response, surely felt throughout Dallas and seen all over social media. Wilson kept up the block party she's been throwing on her own all season with another attempt that not only landed but also shook up the crowd and the Dallas Wings in the second quarter.
Even after getting pawed in the face throughout the game, to the dismay of coach Becky Hammon, Wilson kept up the buckets and the defense to help the Aces bring home the Win.
Las Vegas teammates know what Tiffany Hayes can do
There was a palpable buzz and anticipation for the newest addition to the Las Vegas Aces, Tiffany Hayes, as she prepared to make her debut.
“Becky's super excited. I'm super excited; our team is super happy. It's going to be a good game, and we have a great addition,“ said Aces veteran Kiah Stokes ahead of Wednesday night's game.
Stokes' pre-game admissions rang true as the Aces locked down another win out on the road, this time with the help of 11-year veteran Hayes.
“I'm not going to lie. It's been weird. It kind of feels like it's been longer than five months for me,“ Hayes said.
Come game night, it looked like Hayes didn't miss a beat. The recently retired guard showed up and showed out, putting her first points up for Las Vegas in the first quarter of the matchup against Dallas. Her return brought a new dynamic to the team, with her experience and skill adding depth to the Aces' offense and defense.
The former Atlanta Dream player came through with a smooth layup to kick off her 11-point game run. With Chelsea Gray still out (but not far; she helped a visibly annoyed Coach Hammon avoid a technical foul while trying to call out the refs for missing Wilson's face attacks) due to a lower leg injury, Hayes has already stepped in to help fill the void.
“We're giving each other grace. So, that's the biggest thing, and I know what I can do. They know what I can do, and at the end of the day, it's going to be great,“ Hayes said.
The Aces return home on Friday, June 7, to play the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena.
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