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Aces vs Liberty became an unexpected WNBA talking point Sunday after Las Vegas decided to rest three of its biggest stars for a nationally televised matchup in New York. A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young were all held out as the Aces faced the second half of a demanding back-to-back schedule.
The decision followed Las Vegas’ 98-87 loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday. After that game, the Aces traveled nearly 1,200 miles to New York and did not reach their hotel until almost 10 p.m. The Liberty game began at 12:30 p.m. EDT the next day, leaving the players with an especially short recovery window.
Why the Aces vs Liberty Rest Decision Matters
Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon said player health and safety were the organization’s top priorities. Rather than risk injuries after a long trip and a physically demanding stretch, the Aces chose caution despite the significance of facing New York on ABC.
“We’re going to always be on the side of health and safety for our players,” Hammon said, according to the Associated Press. She added that she would not put the players in jeopardy after the team had spent so much energy traveling across the country.
Hammon also questioned whether the NBA would schedule a similar turnaround. The league has frequent back-to-back games, but a person familiar with its scheduling told the Associated Press that NBA teams are not made to travel across two time zones or play with fewer than 22 hours between games when competing on consecutive days.
Brutal Travel Creates a Critical Challenge
The Aces’ schedule was unusually punishing. Sunday’s contest came at the end of a five-game road trip that began the previous Saturday in Chicago. Las Vegas lost that opener before responding with a dominant victory over Atlanta.
The team then traveled to Indiana, where Gray delivered one of the most dramatic performances of the season. She hit a 3-pointer at the end of regulation to force overtime and then connected on another buzzer-beating 3 in overtime to secure the victory.
That emotional win was followed by the trip to Minnesota and then the overnight journey to New York. The early afternoon start against the Liberty meant the players had little time to sleep, recover or prepare for another high-level opponent.
- A’ja Wilson: Rested for the New York game after the Minnesota matchup.
- Chelsea Gray: Sat out after a remarkable overtime performance against Indiana.
- Jackie Young: Also missed the game as Las Vegas managed its roster.
- Becky Hammon: Emphasized health and safety over short-term competitive pressure.
Liberty Warned Against Underestimating Las Vegas
Although New York received a major advantage by facing a depleted lineup, Liberty coach Chris DeMarco said his team could not assume the game would be easy. He warned that the Aces could respond with urgency, even without their leading players.
“You can’t go in this game and think they’re not going to be like, oh, there’s 60 points missing,” DeMarco said. “It’s my turn to get to work, so it’s dangerous.”
His comments reflected the respect surrounding the defending champions. Wilson, Gray and Young represent a huge portion of Las Vegas’ scoring, leadership and late-game experience, but the Aces still entered the matchup as one of the league’s most dangerous teams.
What Comes Next for the Aces
The rest decision highlights a broader issue in women’s basketball: how teams can balance television commitments, travel demands and player welfare during a compressed schedule. The Sunday game began early because ABC was scheduled to broadcast the Little League Softball World Series championship afterward.
For Las Vegas, the immediate priority was completing the road trip without adding another injury to an already exhausting stretch. The Aces had traveled from Chicago to Atlanta, Indiana, Minnesota and New York while playing several intense games in a short period.
For the Liberty, the matchup offered an opportunity to capitalize on home-court advantage and the Aces’ fatigue. Still, New York had to remain focused against a roster capable of producing an upset even under difficult circumstances.
The Aces vs Liberty storyline ultimately became about more than one game. It raised questions about scheduling fairness, recovery time and the growing importance of protecting star players across a long WNBA season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did A’ja Wilson miss the Aces vs Liberty game?
Wilson was rested after Las Vegas played Minnesota on Saturday and traveled nearly 1,200 miles to New York before Sunday’s early tipoff.
Which Aces players were unavailable?
A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young all missed the matchup against the New York Liberty.
What did Becky Hammon say about the decision?
Hammon said the Aces would prioritize player health and safety rather than risk injuries after heavy travel and a demanding schedule.
Why did the game start at 12:30 p.m. EDT?
The early start allowed ABC to show the Liberty-Aces game before its broadcast of the Little League Softball World Series championship.
How long was the Aces’ road trip?
Sunday’s game ended a five-game road trip that began in Chicago and continued through Atlanta, Indiana, Minnesota and New York.
