A'ja Wilson is 30 Points From WNBA History and the Storm Are Coming to The House — It's Pride Night in Vegas
Tonight at Michelob Ultra Arena is going to be a night to remember and not just because of what could happen on the scoreboard.
The Las Vegas Aces host the Seattle Storm at 7pm on USA Network in what is also the Aces annual Pride Night featuring in game recognitions, performances, and entertainment from local LGBTQIA+ community members, exclusive Pride merchandise, and a free Aces branded Pride fan for the first 7,500 fans through the doors. This organization shows up for its community every single year and tonight is no different.
Now let's talk about what could happen on the court because A'ja Wilson is 30 points away from making WNBA history.
The milestone watch is real tonight
A'ja Wilson enters tonight's game with 5,970 career points. Thirty points stands between her and becoming the 19th player in WNBA history to reach 6,000 career points. But here's what makes this truly special if she hits that mark tonight she will be the fastest player in league history to reach 6,000 points, doing it in just 278 games. She will also be the youngest at just 29 years, 304 days old.
That is not just a milestone. That is a statement about the kind of player A'ja Wilson is and has been from the moment she stepped into this league.
And that's not all she's chasing tonight. She is two blocked shots away from passing Tangela Smith to move into No. 7 on the WNBA all-time blocks list. She needs 14 rebounds to pass Sancho Lyttle for No. 14 all-time. She is also 36 points from passing Seimone Augustus for No. 18 on the all-time scoring list with Lauren Jackson sitting at No. 17 just beyond that.
On any other night one of these milestones would be the headline. Tonight she could hit multiple. The House is going to be electric.
The Aces are rolling
Las Vegas comes in on a three-game winning streak and looking like the team we expected to see at the start of the season. A'ja Wilson is averaging 27 points, 14.7 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game over the last three games while shooting 50.8 percent from the floor. She leads the league in scoring and blocks and ranks among the top five in field goals made and defensive rebounds. The reigning MVP is playing like it.
Jackie Young has been on a tear over the last four games averaging 20.3 points on 44.9 percent shooting with 7.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game. Saturday's season-high 27 points against Golden State was the best performance of her season and she is clearly locked in right now. Jackie Young needs just seven rebounds tonight to pass Adrienne Goodson and move into seventh in franchise history.
Chelsea Gray is averaging 10.9 points and 7.1 assists and is now the all-time assists leader in franchise history after passing Becky Hammon on Saturday. NaLyssa Smith is shooting a ridiculous 67.2 percent from the field. This offense is humming.
Chennedy Carter is listed as questionable tonight with her left leg injury fingers crossed she can go because this team is a completely different animal when she's healthy.
The Storm are struggling
Let's be honest about where Seattle is right now they have dropped eight of their last ten games and five straight coming into tonight. They rank last in the league in scoring at 75.0 points per game, last in field goal percentage, and last in assists. This is a team going through a difficult stretch early in the season.
That said give them credit where it's due. Their defense is real. Seattle holds opponents to a league-low 29.3 percent from three, ranks third in opponent field goal percentage, and is third in the league in blocked shots. They will not make tonight easy.
Dominique Malonga the No. 2 overall pick in 2025 returned from concussion protocol on June 6 and is averaging 13.8 points. Flau'jae Johnson who ended up in Seattle after the Valkyries traded her rights on draft night is averaging 11.5 points and leads all rookies in rebounds at 5.1 per game. Natisha Hiedeman adds 13.5 points per game. And draft pick Awa Fam my No. 2 prediction in this year's mock draft made her career debut on May 24 and is averaging 9.0 points on 43.6 percent shooting. The talent is there for Seattle. The results just haven't come yet.
First year head coach Sonia Raman is building something in Seattle.
The numbers say it all
The Aces lead the league in blocked shots and defensive rebounds. They rank second in points in the paint, assists, field goals made, and field goal percentage. Seattle ranks last in scoring, shooting, and assists. On paper this matchup is not close but the Aces know better than anyone that you have to show up and play every night regardless of the opponent.
My take
Pride Night. A'ja Wilson 30 points from history. A three-game winning streak. The House back to being the place nobody wants to visit. Tonight has everything.
If Wilson hits 6,000 points tonight in front of the Las Vegas crowd on Pride Night that is a moment this city will remember for a long time. Her Game Network will be there for every second of it.
Tip off is 7pm on USA and The Spot-Vegas 34. Let's go.
Game Status: Evans — Out | Carter — Questionable
Next: at Portland Fire, Thursday June 11, 7pm, Moda Center the franchise's first game against Portland since the Utah Starzz faced the Fire on August 6, 2002.