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After watching A’ja Wilson go off for 53 points to tie the WNBA single-game scoring record Tuesday night, Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon sounded like she was describing the next movie superhero when talking about the Aces’ superstar forward.
“She runs like a deer, jumps like a cat and catches as if she were Spider-Man,” Hammon said. “She is just special. Her real gift is in her humility and grace and how she handles herself and her teammates. She is a phenomenal superstar.”
Just 11 days after setting a career high with 40 points, Wilson went even bigger as the Aces won 112-100 on the road against the Atlanta Dream. Her 53-point outburst matched that of center Liz Cambage, who set the single-game scoring record while playing for the Dallas Wings against the New York Liberty on July 17, 2018.
The only other WNBA player to score at least 50 in a game is guard Riquna Williams, who had 51 for the Tulsa Shock against San Antonio in 2013.
Wilson made 16 of 23 shots from the floor and was 20-of-21 from the foul line, the most makes and attempts from the line in her career. She is just the second WNBA player to make at least 20 free throws in a game; Cynthia Cooper of the 1998 Houston Comets holds the record with 22.
Wilson made four free throws in the final minute to reach her record-tying point total. After being fouled with 51 seconds left and making both shots, Wilson got her chance at the record three seconds later when Dream coach Tanisha Wright picked up two technical fouls and was ejected. Wilson hit both foul shots to put her at 53.
“I was just really aggressive today,” said Wilson, who turned 27 earlier this month and is already a two-time WNBA MVP. “I’m out there having fun, and I get the opportunity to play with some…
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