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“Travelled to the Moon and Back”: Fans Turned Analysts, A’ja Wilson’s ‘Trick Shot’ on Breanna Stewart Sparks Debate on Aces Superstar’s Basketball Fundamentals

Published 10/13/2023, 7:06 AM EDT

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The Las Vegas Aces continue to dominate! They are on the cusp of making history by securing their first WNBA repeat championship since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2002. On Wednesday, the Aces outscored the Liberty, with a 104-76 victory to gain a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. This was the first time this season that the Liberty endured consecutive defeats. Notably, the Aces have maintained an unblemished record throughout their postseason, with their last loss occurring when they faced the Liberty on August 28th.

Meanwhile, A’ja Wilson’s ‘trick shot’ over Breanna Stewart in game 2 has turned fans into basketball analysts, sparking a debate on Wilson’s basketball fundamentals.

A’ja Wilson pulls off a ‘trick shot’ over Breanna Stewart

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On Wednesday, the Aces stunned the New York Liberty right from the opening tip-off with a stunning first-quarter performance during game 2, scoring 38 points. The indomitable A’ja Wilson, who scored 12 points during this initial attack, was the driving force behind this offensive onslaught. Las Vegas was on fire, making six three-pointers and shooting a staggering 70% from the field, while the Liberty struggled to find their range and managed just 30 %. The Aces had a dominant 19-point advantage at the break.

The 2020 and 2022 MVP, A’ja Wilson, demonstrated her supremacy in the MVP showdown, making it a one-sided affair. Wilson’s 24 points and 11 rebounds in the first three quarters left fans in awe. Breanna Stewart, the season’s MVP, struggled, scoring just 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting, and her defensive contribution against Wilson and the Aces’ guards was limited. Las Vegas was playing at a different tempo both offensively and defensively.

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While A’ja Wilson was on fire the whole night, a particular move of hers stood out: Her up-and-under shot over Breanna Stewart.

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In the second quarter of the game with four minutes left on the clock, A’ja Wilson pulled off an up-an-under shot over Breanna Stewart. With Courtney Vandlersloot on her back, Kelsey Plum found the perfect window to pass the ball to A’ja Wilson.

As A’ja Wilson received the ball, Breanna Stewart was determined to put a halt to Wilson’s drive to the basket. However, Wilson had other plans. With a swift pivot and a deceptive up-and-under motion, she deftly maneuvered the ball over Stewart’s defensive efforts. The ball found its mark, swishing through the net and sending the crowd into a frenzy.

A’ja Wilson put on an absolutely historic performance, recording her 26th double-double of the year, including her fourth in the postseason. She became just the third player in WNBA Finals history to record at least 25 points and 15 rebounds in a single game thanks to her 10-of-16 field goal shooting.

Meanwhile, Wilson’s ‘trick shot’ has turned basketball fans into analysts.

Basketball fans dive deep into game rules

A’ja Wilson’s up-and-under shot has sparked a heated argument within the basketball community. It all revolves around a single, critical question: Was it a travel, or wasn’t it? Some consider Wilson’s succession of steps as she moved towards the basket to be a magnificent demonstration of footwork, while others are quick to call it a blatant travel violation. Many WNBA fans have become armchair analysts as a result of the controversy, dissecting the video frame by frame.

A fan wrote, “She traveled to the moon & back. Viva Las Vegas !”

Another wrote, “You can’t do that. You cannot pause on a dime like that and take any step. That’s a travel.”

A fan remained firm in their stance, writing, “This is clearly a travel. Her pivot foot left the ground before her left foot. Both feet should have left the ground at the same time as she steps through”

On the other side of the coin, we have fans left in awe of her.

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A fan wrote, “Ya’ll it’s called a step-through, she keeps her right pivot foot down and steps through for a nice hezi bucket. Not at all a walk ya’ll play too much.”

Another wrote, “Perfect footwork sheesh.”

A fan pointed out that it, “looks like a travel, but it’s not,” calling it a “saucy move.”

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A fan came forward with proof from the NBA’s Referee Operations Joe Borgia that it’s not a travel:

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Do you think this is a travel? Let us know in the comments below!

 

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Written by:

Ranjitha Ramesh

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Ranjitha Ramesh is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. With a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Ranjitha has a strong foundation in reporting and writing. Her passion for basketball, particularly the Lakers and LeBron James, fuels her desire to delve into the lifestyle and off-court activities of NBA stars.
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Edited by:

Aayush Kapoor