A’ja Wilson falls to WNBA season-high 42, however Wings have the best Aces

Aces head coach Becky Hammon took her team to task following their defeat by 93-90 to the Wings by ripping their defensive efforts and saying “At some point, people have to take accountability.”

By Michael Voepel

Aug 28, 2024 02:42 AM

The two-time champion Las Vegas Aces scored 42 points from superstar A’ja Wilson on Tuesday. It was the highest score ever a WNBA players has recorded in a single game this season. However, it was not enough, as the Aces fell the game 93-90 against the Dallas Wings .

The loss lowered the Aces to 18-12, which is fifth on the list of standings.

“We didn’t defend, we fouled, and we didn’t rebound. And we shot the 3 terrible again,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said. “So it’s a bad combination.”

Las Vegas lost six games during the regular season, and lost once in the playoffs last season after winning their third WNBA title in succession. But even though Wilson is a huge favorite for the 2024 MVP award and is scoring 27.1 points per game– the highest ever in the history of the league The Aces have struggled this season.

They’re 4-4 since WNBA games resumed following the Olympics The team had a loss in their last game before the break, too. Three of their recent losses came to New York and Minnesota (twice) both of which are ranked second and third on the WNBA standings according to. However, Tuesday’s loss was against Dallas which is now 8-22. The team on Sunday required Wilson’s buzzer beater to beat Chicago who is currently 11-18.

Wilson missed her career-high 20 shots in the game against the Sky but returned to her normal efficiency against the Wings and shot 16-of-22 on the field. the remaining Aces were 15-40. Her 42 points are the highest ever scored by any WNBA player in an official (non-overtime) defeat.

“I wish I could shoot perfect every game, but that’s not always the case,” Wilson said. Wilson who is currently at 52% in the league. “I don’t let the events of the day linger since it takes me away from the present. I’m trying to be as productive as possible with my group. Today it was the same … however, we didn’t take the victory and that’s why nothing really matters.”

The game played on Tuesday marked the third 40-point game in Wilson’s playing career. Only three other players in WNBA history have played three plus 40-point matches. Breanna Stewart (4), Diana Taurasi (4) and Maya Moore (3).

Hammon is concerned over Las Vegas’ defense since the beginning of the season. She was asked whether, with only 10 games remaining the Aces can make improvements to their defense.

“It can get a lot better, clearly, but it’s the attention to detail,” Hammon declared. “There are ways we can cut down [opposite players points by being disciplined and being vigilant. We were unable to argue with our lunch during the second period.

“At some time, everyone must be accountable. You have to be in a pick-and-roll. You need to keep out your opponent. You must assist the big guys as they’ve got those massive bodies that crash each time. If you are aware of what the opposing team has to accomplish and you’re unable to manage it, then that’s a problem.

“I cannot force them to perform it. They have to take the initiative. What should I do? Take them out? The people I inserted in there didn’t bounce back.”

Aces were outrebounded by 40-26, including Dallas centre Teaira McCowan scoring 17 rebound. Las Vegas is seventh in the WNBA in rebounding, averaging 34.4 per contest. This isn’t much different than the previous year’s 34.8 average, however the Aces aren’t as effective offensively this year as they were back in 2023, with the exception of Wilson.

“We have to figure out how to get stops down the stretch when it matters, and we haven’t shown the ability to keep leads, which is disappointing,” Hammon stated. “You have to defend. We’re not very efficient offensively this year to surrender 93. We’ve been unable to shoot it effectively. The thing isn’t moving enough.”

In the previous season Dallas were in the WNBA semifinals, but lost 3-1 against the Aces. Satou Sabally is who was the 2023 WNBA Most Improved Player, was unavailable for during the beginning of the season as she was recovering of a shoulder strain, and trained to represent Germany at the Olympics. Sabally is a massive positive for the Wings during the five games she played since she returned following she returned from Paris Games: She is averaged 20.2 per game, 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists. On Tuesday, she had 28, 7 and 5.

Dallas has now won two consecutive wins at the beginning of May for only the second time. The Wings defeated Los Angeles Sparks Los Angeles Sparks 113-110 last Sunday.