First, let’s talk about the name. You can’t talk about Aerial Powers without paying respect to the name–unless you want to suffer the same fate as Andre Iguodala.
Put some respect on my name or keep this tweet to yourself!! https://t.co/xFtU8f7KWp
— LIQUID | Powerzsurge (@aerial_powers23) July 29, 2020
Aerial Powers is a top five all-time WNBA name, right up there with Sheryl Swoopes and Swin Cash. It’s the perfect combination of basketball star and superhero in one go. The first name means “existing, happening, or operating in the air.” The last name means “the ability to do something or act in a particular way.” Together, it means “bucket-getting machine you just can’t stop.”
That’s what Aerial Powers, now playing for the Minnesota Lynx, did recently against the Las Vegas Aces. She called for picks, only to stepback for a long 3. She attacked the rim many times then flexed–sometimes with her right bicep, other times with both.
AERIAL.
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) July 3, 2022
POWERS.
💪💪💪💪 pic.twitter.com/fzJadDIPqv
She splashed the jumpers then held the pose, just to make sure everyone was looking. If she was nice back when she was a Washington Mystic, now she’s just nasty.
The Aces just couldn’t stop Powers, who simply had the ability to score in a particular way. The Aces scored 15 points in the first quarter; Powers scored 14 of her team’s 33. By halftime, Powers had 19.
It was a special night in Minnesota, and it wasn’t even Powers-related. The night marked the retirement of WNBA legend Rebekkah Brunson’s No. 32 jersey. Brunson, who now serves as assistant coach of the Lynx, is the only player in league history to ever win five championships. She’s known for her defense, but she’ll be remembered as a winner.
Powers and the Lynx paid tribute to their assistant coach in the best way possible: by locking down the Aces to their lowest point output of the season and handing them their worst loss of the season by a margin of 31 points. How awesome it could’ve been if they won by 32.
Powers got that part covered. She scored a career-high 32 points, the perfect number to honor Brunson’s stellar career. She missed only seven of her 17 shot attempts. After the game, Powers was asked if she promised a 32-point game to Brunson.
"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't," Powers replied. With how locked in she was right from the tip-off, it definitely felt like she was eyeing that legendary number on the rafters the entire game.
It was an unforgettable night for the Minnesota Lynx as a franchise, for a number of reasons. With every attack, Powers made sure she was seen and heard. Aerial Powers isn’t just a player with an unforgettable name. She also has an unforgettable game to go with it.
