WNBA scoring record: Where Aces star A'ja Wilson's 53-point performance ranks all-time

Two-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson is already on track for a legendary career, but she found a new way into the history books on Tuesday night.

Wilson erupted for 53 points in a 112-110 win over the Dream, shooting 16 of 23 from the field and an excellent 20 of 21 from the free-throw line.

It wasn't just an outstanding scoring performance -- it was one nearly unprecedented in WNBA history. Wilson tied the league's single-game scoring record, becoming the second player to hit the 53-point mark and the first since 2018. 

HER 👑@_ajawilson22 with a HISTORIC performance tonight vs. the Dream ⬇

♠ Career-high 53 PTS
♠ Sets Aces franchise record for points in a single game
♠ Ties the WNBA record for points in a single game
♠ Becomes the 3rd player in WNBA History to drop 50+ PTS#MoreThanGame pic.twitter.com/lV8t6Ht1a2

— WNBA (@WNBA) August 23, 2023

It's been a season for the history books in Las Vegas, as the defending champion Aces are 29-4 and heavily favored to win another championship. Wilson's legendary night gives the Aces an early moment to remember before the playoffs begin.

MORE: Can the Aces have the best season in WNBA history?

Here's a closer look at the WNBA's single-game and all-time scoring leaders.

WNBA single-game scoring leaders

Nine players have scored at least 45 points in a WNBA game, and two did it this season. Liberty star Breanna Stewart posted 45 points in a game in May, before Wilson passed nearly everyone on the list with her 53-point explosion on Tuesday.

Wilson is now tied with Liz Cambage for the record. Cambage scored 53 for the Wings in 2018, breaking the record set by Riquna Williams in 2013. 

Here's the full list of players who have scored at least 45 points in a WNBA game.

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WNBA all-time scoring leaders

Wilson has put together an extraordinary career to this point, but she still has some work to do to climb up the WNBA's all-time points list. Given that she's less than 1,400 points away from reaching the top 25, it would be stunning if she didn't soar close to the top of the leaderboard when all is said and done.

Here's what the WNBA's all-time scoring list looks like, featuring Wilson's teammate Candace Parker among three active players.