The Las Vegas Aces already knew they would see New York again. Tuesday showed them what needs to change before then.
The Liberty controlled the first Commissioner’s Cup preview at Michelob ULTRA Arena, beating Las Vegas 87-76 behind size, shooting and enough late answers to stop an Aces push.
New York entered after back-to-back losses in games it led in the fourth quarter. This time, there was no late fade.
New York’s terms
Becky Hammon said before the game that New York’s size was the first thing that jumped off the page. Then she pointed to the Liberty’s ability to shoot the three.
Both showed up quickly.
New York hit four 3s in the first quarter and seven by halftime. The Liberty finished 13-for-31 from the arc, while the Aces went 8-for-27.
Las Vegas got one of its sharpest early possessions from Chelsea Gray, who went between the legs before slipping a no-look pass to Jackie Young on a drive to the rim. Still, New York led 19-17 after one and kept building from there.
Second-quarter squeeze
The Aces opened the second quarter cold and could not get their usual rhythm back soon enough.
Las Vegas started the period 0-for-6 before Stephanie Talbot broke the drought with a 3-pointer. A’ja Wilson also had to work through New York’s length, shooting 3-for-11 in the first half.
Young kept Las Vegas attached with 13 points and four assists before the break. However, the Liberty outscored the Aces 23-16 in the second quarter and took a 42-33 lead into halftime.
Window closed
The Aces made their best push in the third, as Wilson started to find space, Gray helped organize the offense and Jewell Loyd hit a 3 to cut the lead to 50-44.
But New York answered before the game could really turn. Han Xu scored 10 points in the quarter, Leonie Fiebich hit another 3 and Breanna Stewart helped steady the Liberty.
New York closed the third with a 67-51 lead and had its largest cushion at 19.
Too much to chase
Las Vegas did make one late run. Parker-Tyus hit a 3, Gray added a pull-up 3 and Wilson found Parker-Tyus for another 3 to cut the margin to 78-70 with 2:40 left.
But Sabrina Ionescu answered with a 3. Then Stewart hit another from deep with 1:30 left to push the Liberty lead back to 12.
That was enough. New York had too much cushion, and the Aces had missed too many shots.
Bench answer
Parker-Tyus was one of the Aces’ better stories off the bench.
She finished with 14 points and six rebounds on 5-for-7 shooting. That mattered with Chennedy Carter and Dana Evans still out and the Aces working with a short bench.
Hammon said before the game that the bench mix depends on what the night needs. Parker-Tyus gave Las Vegas offense, rebounding and some needed energy while the starters fought uphill.
Work before the rematch
Young led the Aces with 19 points, seven assists and four rebounds. Wilson finished with 16 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four steals. Gray added 11 points and eight assists.
But the Aces shot 43 percent overall and just 30 percent from three. New York shot 46 percent, won the 3-point line and got a balanced night from Stewart, Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, Fiebich and Han.
Hammon said before the game that this was “what everybody wants to see.”
The Aces will see it again in the Commissioner’s Cup final, and this preview gave them plenty to solve first.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Las Vegas Aces, Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
