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A’ja Wilson becomes the first WNBA player to top 1,000 points in a season, while also shattering the single-season rebounding mark and scoring average record
A’ja Wilson puts the finishing touches on perhaps the top individual regular season in WNBA history when the Las Vegas Aces host the Dallas Wings on Thursday night, September 19.
Wilson became the first WNBA player to top 1,000 points (1,021) in a season and also set the single-season rebounding mark of 451 during a campaign that will likely result in her third career league MVP award.
Wilson also shattered the single-season scoring average record. She is averaging 26.9 points, and has a commanding lead in this season’s scoring race over second-place Arike Ogunbowale (22.2) of the Wings.
Wilson set the rebounding mark during Tuesday’s 85-72 road victory over the Seattle Storm. There was some luck involved in that mark as Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese (446) set it earlier this season but sustained a season-ending fractured wrist with six games remaining in the season.
“It’s a blessing,” Wilson said of adding the rebounding mark to her list of accolades. “This league is tough, so if my name can be in the record books in some sort of way, it’s a blessing. So that’s cool.”
The Aces (26-13) have won four straight games and eight of their past nine. The two-time defending champions are currently the fourth seed for the postseason but could move to No. 3 by beating Dallas and having the Connecticut Sun lose to the Sky.
“I don’t care what seed we are,” Wilson said. “… It’s a whole new basketball that you get a chance to play when it comes to playoffs, and it doesn’t matter what number is by your team’s name.”
The Wings (9-30) have lost eight straight games in a disappointing campaign. A season ago, Dallas reached the semifinals before being eliminated by the Aces in the final contest of a three-game series.
Ogunbowale, the All-Star MVP, scored 27 points in Sunday’s 110-109 loss to the host Indiana Fever to become the fastest player in league history to reach 4,000 career points. She did it in her 195th game, surpassing Breanna Stewart (196 games).
Ogunbowale has 4,014 points entering the season finale.
“Obviously, it’s tough to celebrate anything throughout this year, it’s been a very tough year,” she said after Sunday’s game. “But obviously that’s definitely an accomplishment.”
Ogunbowale also needs 5 assists to reach 200 in a season for the first time in her career.
Dallas will be without center Teaira McCowan, who was suspended one game without pay after receiving her seventh technical foul of the season against Indiana. She received two technicals in the game.
The Aces are 2-1 against the Wings this season. Dallas won the most recent meeting 93-90 on August 27. – Rappler.com
