A’ja Wilson Turns Mohegan Sun into Her Personal Arcade (And Hits the Cheat Codes)
A’ja Wilson Turns Mohegan Sun into Her Personal Arcade (And Hits the Cheat Codes)
If you happened to tune into the Las Vegas Aces vs. Connecticut Sun game on Friday night expecting a standard, balanced professional basketball game, I am so sorry for your loss. Instead, you witnessed a live-streamed, high-efficiency eviction notice served by four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, who decided that missing shots is completely out of style for the 2026 season.
Wilson dropped a casual 45 points to lead the Aces to a 101-94 victory. But it’s how she did it that should have the rest of the league filing a formal grievance. She went 15-for-18 from the field, drilled both of her three-point attempts, and was a perfect 13-for-13 from the charity stripe.
According to ESPN, Wilson is now the only player in WNBA history to drop 45+ points while shooting 80% or better from the floor. That isn't just "in the zone"—that is basketball wizardry.
Efficiency is Sexy, Just Ask A'ja
Despite putting up numbers that look like someone accidentally left the rookie difficulty setting on, Wilson was the epitome of nonchalance postgame:
"Finding shots in our system and letting the flow of the game take over, that's big to me," Wilson said. "I want to be efficient. It's beautiful to rack up all these points, but to be efficient, that's what is key."
Translation: "I didn't even mean to embarrass them that badly; it just sort of happened."
With this masterclass, Wilson officially logged her fifth career 40-point game, breaking a tie with Breanna Stewart and Diana Taurasi for the most in WNBA history.
Spicing Things Up in the Third
The young, short-handed Sun squad (missing both Brittney Griner and Olivia Nelson-Ododa due to injuries) actually showed some serious teeth. Led by second-year guard Hailey Van Lith (17 points) and Saniya Rivers, Connecticut went on a furious 14-3 run late in the third quarter to cut a 13-point deficit down to a tight 72-70.
Naturally, Wilson decided recess was over. Coming out of a timeout, she casually drained a triple because Raegan Beers was "playing a little bit off," followed it up with an and-one three-point play, and sparked a 16-4 run to put Connecticut to bed.
Coach Becky Hammon was practically giddy about the offensive variety:
“She was unbelievable. Really happy with the free throws. The 3s, she just continued to sprinkle those in.”
Ah, yes, "sprinkling" in three-pointers like a pinch of salt on a perfectly cooked meal.
The Ultimate Long-Distance Support System
Adding to the spectacle, Wilson’s boyfriend—Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat—was sitting courtside. This was clearly a high-stakes game of relationship one-upmanship, considering Wilson recently watched Adebayo drop a ridiculous 83 points in a game back in March. While A'ja didn't quite hit the 80s, doing it on 18 shots is arguably the ultimate flex.
Moving Out and Moving On
This historic night carried a bittersweet undertone. This was likely Wilson's final game at the Mohegan Sun Arena, with the Connecticut Sun franchise scheduled to relocate and rebrand next season as the returning Houston Comets.
It’s a building where Wilson scored her very first WNBA point back in 2018 (a 14-point debut in a blowout loss) and where she later hoisted a championship trophy.
“This building has been special to me for a while,” Wilson reflected. “...Gonna miss this place.”
We’re pretty sure the Mohegan Sun rims will not miss her.
Point guard Chelsea Gray, who finished with 10 assists and 7 rebounds, summed up what we are all thinking as we watch Wilson approach her 30th birthday in the league's 30th season:
“You can't get bored with watching greatness. I'm around it all the time, but I'm surprised every day.”
The 3-1 Aces now wrap up their four-game road trip against the Atlanta Dream on Sunday. If you are an Atlanta defender, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
