The Threes Just Wouldn't Fall Liberty Hand Aces a Preview of What's Coming 87-76
Some nights the ball just doesn't go in. Tonight was one of those nights for the Las Vegas Aces.
The New York Liberty came into Michelob Ultra Arena and handed the Aces an 87-76 loss in what was effectively a preview of the 2026 Commissioner's Cup Championship Game these two teams will play in New York exactly one week from today. Las Vegas falls to 12-5. The cold shooting from deep was the story of the entire night 8 for 27 from three, just 29.6 percent, and a brutal 2 for 13 in the first half alone.
A'ja Wilson kept it real after the game
I asked about the shooting struggles and A'ja didn't dodge it one bit. "It was just one of those nights. Getting them 18 clips, the wrench at work, so I was just shooting some blanks, like it's just one of those nights, and it sucks. It stinks, but at the same time I think everybody in this room knows it ain't gonna be too many of these. So just to bounce back. We got a game coming up, and I'm gonna try to turn the page too." She even laughed about it: "My parents probably gonna give me a hard time about it, but hey, it's alright."
That's the difference between panic and perspective. A'ja Wilson knows exactly what this team is and one rough shooting night isn't going to shake that. She still finished with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists that led to 12 points for teammates even on an off night offensively, her fingerprints were everywhere.
She also quietly made history again passing her own teammate Jewell Loyd to move into No. 15 on the WNBA all-time scoring list with 6,146 career points. Lisa Leslie sits at No. 14 with 6,263. Even on a tough shooting night, the records keep coming.
Jackie Young led the way
19 points and a team-high 7 assists that turned into 16 points for the Aces. Young was the most consistent offensive option on the floor for Las Vegas all night, getting to her spots and creating for others when the threes weren't falling around her.
Cheyenne Parker-Tyus provided a real spark
14 points off the bench, including 4 points to close out the first quarter and 10 more in the fourth when the Aces were trying to claw back into this game. Coach Hammon talked about exactly why Parker-Tyus made the impact she did: "Just her ability to shoot the three, it stretches them out a little bit. Gives them a little bit different look. I was looking for a little more offense and she stepped up and gave it to us, so I thought she did a really nice job for the most part."
When the starters are struggling from deep, that's exactly the kind of bench spark a championship team needs and Parker-Tyus delivered it.
Chelsea Gray was steady as always
11 points and 8 assists that led directly to 17 points for her teammates. Even on a night where the offense overall struggled to find rhythm, Gray continued doing what she always does making the right read and getting her teammates good looks.
The Liberty were excellent
Credit where it's due New York played a complete game. Breanna Stewart led them with 20 points, Sabrina Ionescu added a 16 point, 10 rebound double-double, and five different Liberty players scored in double figures. They shot 41.9 percent from three as a team and dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Aces 20-8 over a stretch where Las Vegas managed just three field goals in six minutes. New York is 12-6 and they just showed exactly why they're going to be a problem in that Commissioner's Cup Championship Game next week.
The free throw discrepancy
The Aces attempted just 8 free throws all night tying their season low while New York got to the line 16 times. That kind of gap matters in a game decided by 11 points.
My take
This was a tough one to watch if I'm being honest. The Aces led for a grand total of 18 seconds the entire game. But A'ja Wilson said it herself these nights happen, and what matters is the response. This team has been here before. They know how to bounce back.
The bigger story now is what's coming. These two teams meet again in exactly one week for the Commissioner's Cup Championship in New York. Tonight gave both sides a real look at each other under the lights, and I have a feeling the rematch is going to look very different.
Las Vegas closes out their three-game home stand Thursday June 25 against the Dallas Wings at 7pm, airing locally on The Spot-Vegas 34 and streaming on NBA TV. Her Game Network will be watching as this team looks to turn the page just like A'ja said they would.