A’ja Wilson breaks Diana Taurasi’s playoff record, eyes more history

A’ja Wilson continues to add to her legacy after breaking multiple WNBA postseason records.

Fresh off her record-breaking fifth MVP award, the Las Vegas Aces center hit another milestone in her ninth season. On Friday, she surpassed Diana Taurasi’s postseason record of 489 made field goals, becoming No. 1 on the all-time list for the most baskets made in the playoffs. Wilson now has 490 baskets and counting as the Aces seek to avoid elimination in Game 3 of their semifinals matchup with the Golden State Valkyries.

Wilson notched the history-making bucket — her trademarked mid-range jumper — after an assist from Jackie Young with 5:28 remaining in the first quarter.

She also has the chance to record another more milestones against Golden State. Wilson (130 blocks) needs three blocks to pass Lisa Leslie (132 blocks) to become the all-time blocks leader in WNBA playoff history. She’s also 12 points away from passing Sue Bird (6,803 points), who is currently 10th on the league’s all-time career points list. With 20 points Friday, Wilson could also surpass Cappie Pondexter (6,811 points), who is ninth on the all-time points list.

“I’m not satisfied, but I am so grateful, and I’m so blessed to be able to do what I do,” Wilson said.
”Yes, my resume, hopefully, continues (to be) long, and I love this, but I don’t want to lose fun and the joy of this game.

“I’m grateful to be able to have my name alongside of (the) other greats that played all different (kinds) of sports. Just to say that you’re one of the greats, I think it just goes a long way in itself.”

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See A’ja Wilson’s basketball career from South Carolina to 5-time MVP

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See A’ja Wilson’s basketball career from South Carolina to 5-time MVP

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See A’ja Wilson’s basketball career from South Carolina to 5-time MVP

This season, the Aces superstar led the league in scoring (26.2 points per game) and blocks (9.4 per game) as she powered her team to the playoffs in her eighth straight postseason appearance.

Wilson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft, has a career that’s loaded with accolades. In addition to her five MVP honors, the eight-time All-Star has three WNBA championships (2022, 2023, 2025), two Finals MVP trophies (2023, 2025) and three Defensive Player of the Year awards (2022, 2023, 2025). Last year, Wilson became the first player in WNBA history to win a title, Finals MVP, league MVP and DPOY in the same season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A’ja Wilson breaks Diana Taurasi’s playoff record, eyes more history