A'ja Wilson comes up big for streaking Aces against Sun
Las Vegas (18-14) gave up 31 first-quarter points, then another 14 less than five minutes through the second period to fall behind 45-33. But the Aces regrouped, holding Connecticut (5-25) without a point for the next 5:45 during a 12-0 run to draw the score even by halftime.
The defensive tenacity carried over into the second half. Las Vegas surrendered as many points in the second and third quarters combined as it allowed in the opening period, in the process flipping the early, double-digit-point deficit into a double-digit-point lead by the late third.
A three-time league Most Valuable Player including last season, Wilson posted her third double-double in the last four games and third consecutive outing with at least 27 points. With 36 seconds remaining in the game, she grabbed her 20th board to match the personal record she established on July 10, 2024 at Seattle. Her Las Vegas teammates led the home crowd in applause for the milestone.
Wilson is the first player in WNBA history to record 30-plus points and 20-plus rebounds in a game.
Wilson's heroics bolstered the Aces on a day when three of the five starters failed to score more than seven points. Jackie Young was the exception with 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the floor.
Young also dished six assists to match Chelsea Gray's game-high total.
Jewell Loyd and Dana Evans helped pick up some of the offensive slack with 12 and 10 points off the bench.
Marina Mabrey led Connecticut with 22 points, 13 of which fueled the Sun's 31-point first quarter. She shot 5 of 13 from 3-point range on the night.
Leila Lacan added 13 points and Saniya Rivers came off the bench for 17 points, the second-highest output of her rookie season. Tina Charles finished with eight points, ending a run of eight straight games scoring in double-figures.
The loss dropped Connecticut to 0-3 on its current road swing, which concludes on Monday in San Francisco against Golden State.
--Field Level Media
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