Lakers' LeBron James, WNBA Fans Hype A'ja Wilson for Historic 42-Point Game vs. Wings

The Las Vegas Aces came up short in Tuesday's 93-90 loss to the Dallas Wings, but A'ja Wilson did everything she could.

The two-time MVP poured in 42 points to go with six rebounds, three blocks, two assists and one steal in a brilliant individual performance. She was 16-of-22 from the field and 10-of-13 from the free-throw line in a showing that was as efficient as it was impressive.

Wilson drew plenty of love from social media, some of which came from Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, as she joined Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore as the only players in WNBA history to score 40 or more points three different times:

Unfortunately for the Aces, it wasn't enough to earn a victory. Wilson was the only player on the team to finish with more than 17 points, and Kelsey Plum struggled to fill her typical secondary scoring role with eight points on 3-of-10 shooting from the field.

Wilson's free throw with 46 seconds remaining put Las Vegas ahead 90-89, but Dallas scored the final four points with free throws from Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally. Wilson missed a three-pointer at the buzzer, which would have forced overtime if she converted.

Still, it was more of the same for the dominant big.

She is well on her way to a third MVP and entered play averaging 26.6 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 2.3 assists and 2.0 steals while shooting 51.2 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from deep.

Her presence is a major reason the Aces are back-to-back champions and figure to challenge for a third consecutive title once the playoffs start even though they are fifth in the WNBA standings at 18-12.

If Wilson plays like she did Tuesday, Las Vegas will be a daunting out for any team regardless of its seed.