A’ja Wilson Leads Aces To Another Win In Front Of Lively Crowd That Included Tom Brady Tuesday
By Cassandra Cousineau of LVSportsBiz.com
If you can count on me was a teammate, her name would be A’ja Wilson.
Wilson led the Las Vegas Aces through critical moments against a persistent and talented Connecticut Sun team, helping the 9-1 Aces squad secure an 89-81 victory at home. She delivered 24 points and 14 rebounds in 30 minutes, with NFL star Tom Brady, Gov. Steve Sisolak and rapper/singer/producer Coolio taking in the game on a ’90s theme night at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob Ultra Arena. The Aces announced attendance at 4,693.
When Wilson’s number is called, Wilson just knows where to be.
For the Aces, that’s basically everywhere. She finished the game leading all scorers with her 24 points, but it was her defense and work on the boards that made the greatest difference. Guarded by Connecticut’s formidable six-foot, six-inch Jonquel Jones and six-foot, four-inch DeWanna Bonner, Wilson more than held her own grabbing those team-leading 14 boards.
Wilson’s effort didn’t go unnoticed by Aces coach Becky Hammon
“No matter how many shots she’s taking, she’s always at the other end of the ball. Nobody has her level of detail, or her level of awareness of what the other team is doing. Just her work ethic,” Hammon said.
I don’t know if I knew A’ja was that good a defender. She’s really proven on both ends of the floor to be elite. — Aces coach Becky Hammon
Wilson’s all-around play is also earning league recognition early in the season. The WNBA announced Tuesday Wilson was the Western Conference Player of the Week for games played from May 23-29. In total, she’s received eight player of the week awards, which is the most in franchise history.
According to team stats, the 2020 WNBA MVP averaged 23.0 points and 11.0 rebounds and connected on 52.9 percent of her field goal attempts for the week. She scored a game-high 24 points in just 19 minutes in Las Vegas’ 104-76 win over the Sparks, and grabbed a career-high tying 16 rebounds on the road against reigning WNBA champion Chicago.
There was a little bit of drama with less than a minute remaining in the game.
Las Vegas gave up a 20-point lead, prompting Hammon to send her starting five back on the floor with 54 seconds left to play.
Hammon didn’t like what she saw, and called another time out to gather her team. “We still have things to work on,” Hammon said after the game.
The most encouraging thing for me is their ability to learn. They respond to what I’m asking them to do. We’re just working on our identity. — Aces coach Becky Hammon
The Aces’ Jackie Young, blossoming into one of the W’s biggest stars this season, added 21 points, while Kelsey Plum tallied 18 points, including three out of seven from three-point land. While Wilson goofs on Plum for not passing the ball, Plum has improved her playmaking, dishing out seven assists and helping Wilson out on the boards with four grabs of her own.
Watching this team over the course of this early part of the season, it’s hard to miss the levity and rapport, especially between the starting five. As they sat for the post-game press conference, Wilson reminded media to ask her teammate what she said to Tom Brady.
Before the game, Plum was told Brady was scheduled to be in attendance. The seven-time Super Bowl winning quarterback also happens to be her favorite athlete.
“When they told me, I was like, ‘Say less.’ I’m gonna give him something to remember about this game. Before the game started, I went up to him, gave him a hug, and was like, ‘Man you’re a dog, I love you.’ “
And then Plum barked in Brady’s face. It’s hard to imagine Brady forgetting being barked at by an Olympian.
Brady was courtside along with journalist and close friend Jim Gray. Along with the 44-year old Brady, quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, and Patrick Mahomes are in town for the sixth edition of The Match. The event is scheduled to take place later this week at the Wynn Golf Club.
Las Vegas won the important statement game of this young WNBA season against Connecticut after losing to the Sun three times last season.
The Aces currently sport the best record in the WNBA with the Sun having the second best. The Aces also are number one in three-point shooting. Connecticut happens to be second in that category.
The Sun were led by Bonner with 14 points. the Aces host the Sun again on Thursday.
PSA
