Sabrina Ionescu delivered a commanding performance with 28 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists to help the New York Liberty secure an 87-78 win against the visiting Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday night. The Liberty’s comeback was bolstered by the injury exit of Aces star A’ja Wilson, whose absence significantly affected the game‘s momentum.
Wilson, a three-time WNBA MVP, was sidelined late in the second quarter after injuring her right wrist while attempting to break her fall following a foul by Leonie Fiebich. She left the game with 4:13 remaining in the quarter and did not return for the second half, finishing with just two points and four rebounds.
Critical Moments Shift Game in Liberty’s Favor
The Liberty’s rally was highlighted by consecutive three-point plays from Kennedy Burke and Sabrina Ionescu, which capped off a pivotal 10-0 run that flipped the score from a two-point deficit to an 80-72 lead late in the contest. New York’s ability to seize control down the stretch underscored the team’s resilience against the two-time reigning champions.
Jackie Young led the Aces with 19 points, while reserve Dana Evans contributed 16 points, showing the team’s effort despite Wilson’s early exit. On the opposing side, Breanna Stewart and Leonie Fiebich each scored 15 points for New York. Stewart also added seven rebounds and five assists, while Fiebich led both teams with nine rebounds and three blocks.
For Ionescu, Tuesday marked her third consecutive game with more than 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists, reinforcing her role as the team‘s driving force.
Competitive Clash Between Recent WNBA Champions
This matchup served as a showdown between the league’s most recent titleholders. Las Vegas claimed championships in 2022 and 2023, while New York captured its first-ever WNBA title last season. Currently, the Liberty hold a 13-6 record and have won six straight regular-season games versus the Aces, despite being 4-6 over their last ten games overall.
The Aces, on the other hand, faced a challenging season relative to their championship caliber, holding a 9-10 record and losing three of their last five games.
After a close first quarter with New York up 19-16, Las Vegas managed to lead by two points at halftime thanks to a last-second layup from Young. The Liberty responded with a 10-2 run before the end of the third quarter to edge ahead 62-60, carrying that momentum deep into the final quarter.
Team Efforts and Game Statistics Highlight Performance
Both teams struggled with shooting accuracy; the Liberty converted 42.9 percent of their field goals, including just 25.9 percent on three-pointers (7-of-27). The Aces shot 41 percent overall with a slightly better three-point percentage of 26.9 percent (7-of-26). New York’s advantage came primarily from fastbreak points (17-7) and scoring in the paint (38-32), which proved critical in securing the win.
Impact of Wilson’s Injury on Aces and Future Outlook
The injury to A’ja Wilson not only affected the game’s outcome but could influence the Aces’ prospects moving forward in the season. As a key figure for Las Vegas, her absence challenged the team to adjust on both ends of the floor against a Liberty squad capitalizing on the opportunity. New York’s ability to rally signals their deep roster strength and potential to maintain momentum in future contests.