A'ja Wilson Drops 29 Birthday Buckets As Aces Set WNBA Record With 40th Consecutive Sellout

Yahoo

17 hours ago

Friday night's game had an undeniable celebration vibe, and not only because they won the game 90-86.
As the Aces faced the Seattle Storm, two Aces players - and NaLyssa Smith - celebrated their birthdays, and the team set the record for most consecutive sellouts. To celebrate star player Wilson, the team's hosts, CJ & Joe, and the team mascot, BUCKET$, all donned pink wigs and fits in honor of her 29th birthday.
Aces Deal The Storm A Losing Hand On A Historic Night In Las Vegas
It was a great birthday game for Wilson, who led the Aces to an impressive win over the Storm, 90-86. She played 35 minutes, scoring 29 points (ironically, on her 29th birthday), had 12 rebounds, and three assists.
Jackie Young added 26 points, with her second basket in the first half moving her past coach Becky Hammon for fifth in franchise history for most made field goals. She capped a 9-0 run with seven straight points, pushing the Aces ahead halfway through the third quarter.
Chelsea Gray scored 13 points, and Wilson's birthday twin, Smith, had 10 points and 11 rebounds.
The Aces Had Their 40th Consecutive Sellout Friday Night
During the game, it was announced that the Aces set the WNBA record for most consecutive sellouts during Friday night's game.
On IG, the team shared, "𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐈𝐍 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄 Our 40th straight sold out game marks the most consecutive sellouts in WNBA history!"
One person took to the comments to say, "Everyone watches women's sports." Another wrote, "We're gonna need a bigger arena." And one other fan shared, "Because win or lose, Vegas shows up! Y'all got the whole city behind you!" Many others just left fire and clapping emojis to show their excitement for the amazing milestone.
Birthday Celebrations For A'ja Wilson And NaLyssa Smith!
Friday night was a celebration from warmups to the final buzzer because it was Wilson and Smith's birthdays. Many fans held up birthday signs in the crowd for the two, and the hosts and mascots even wore pink wigs and attire, as well as pink A'One sneakers in honor Wilson.
The team shared some birthday love on their IG page, captioning the post, "Birthday celly the way only Vegas could." Many fans shared their thoughts in the comment section.
"I love how they celebrate each other!!!" one person wrote. Another added, "Fantastic birthday win!" A few others pointed out the "big Leo" energy.
Nothing Was Thrown In Michelob ULTRA Arena During The Aces Game
There's been a lot of buzz lately about inappropriate objects being thrown onto the court during WNBA games. And while it's happened multiple times in the past two weeks, it did not happen in Vegas on Friday night. Security was on high alert, and it appeared there were more eyes on the court and in the crowd than usual.
Players and coaches have been speaking out about this dangerous prank that could potentially hurt someone. And before the Aces game Friday night, the announcer shared that it is now a felony to throw anything onto the court.
The person who threw a sex toy onto the court during the Golden State Valkyries vs. Atlanta Dream game on July 29 was arrested and charged with multiple offenses. It then happened again at the Golden State Valkyries vs. Chicago Sky game on August 1, and at the Indiana Fever vs. Los Angeles Sparks game on August 5.
A second person was arrested at the Phoenix Mercury vs. Connecticut Sun game on August 5.
Aces Recently Held A Back-To-School Drive And Fantasy Camp
The Aces love being part of their Vegas community. They recently held a back-to-school drive and had their inaugural fantasy camp.
On Thursday, two Aces players - Kiah Stokes and Dana Evans - helped pass out school supplies at the team's annual back-to-school drive held at Aces Headquarters.
'It was exciting when you get new things,' Aces Center Stokes said, according to KTNV. 'I think it makes the learning environment better, it made me want to learn, so hopefully it does the same for these kids.'
Along with Stokes, Evans also helped to pass out tons of school supply items and 300 backpacks to kindergarten through 12th grade Title I Clark County School District students.
'They support and ride out with us, so I think it's only right for us to give back in ways like this,' Evans shared.
The team's inaugural fantasy camp took place last weekend. According to their IG post, "The weekend included events such as competing on the Aces court, practiced with Coach Becky Hammon, and trained with franchise alumni Edna Campbell and Adrianne Ross at Aces HQ."
Next up for the Aces - Sunday, Aug. 10 they face the Connecticut Sun at home, and then on Wednesday, Aug. 13, they go up against the New York Liberty, also at home.