Breanna Stewart turned in one of the most efficient scoring nights of her career, pouring in 36 points on 14-of-19 shooting — and in the process climbed to third on the all-time list for career 30-point games.

What happened

Stewart was in complete control from start to finish, converting nearly three of every four shots she attempted on her way to 36 points. The 14-of-19 line works out to 73.7 percent from the field, a remarkable clip for any high-volume night.

The outing was more than a hot hand. It pushed Stewart past another historical marker, moving her to third all-time in career 30-point games — territory reserved for the most prolific scorers the league has ever seen.

Why it matters

Milestones like this one cement Stewart's standing among the great scorers in league history, and the manner of the performance stands out as much as the total. Scoring 36 points is one thing; doing it while missing only five shots is another entirely.

It also extends a scorching stretch of basketball. Earlier this week, the same Stewart opened perfect with a 16-point first quarter against the Lynx, and the surge has not slowed since.

By the numbers

Stewart finished with 36 points on 14-of-19 shooting, good for 73.7 percent from the field. The performance lifted her to third all-time in career 30-point games.

The historical climbs are stacking up quickly. On June 9, she passed Angel McCoughtry for fifth on the WNBA all-time free throws list — making this her second move up an all-time list in under a month.

What to watch next

The immediate question is whether Stewart can keep this scoring surge rolling through the heart of the summer schedule. Nights like this one suggest she is playing some of the best basketball of her career, and the calendar still has plenty of runway.

The longer arc is the 30-point-games list itself. Only two players now sit ahead of Stewart, and every efficient eruption like this one chips away at the gap. If the current stretch is any indication, that chase is worth watching closely.