The Aces asked their young group to carry a demanding road-trip finale without A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray, who rested Sunday.
New York answered with size, depth and a 45-24 rebounding advantage, pulling away for a 111-71 win at Barclays Center. Ta’Niya Latson scored 20 points and Mai Yamamoto added 16 with six assists, but Las Vegas fell to 22-11 after playing its third game in roughly 65½ hours.
Head coach Becky Hammon called it a “next woman up” game before tipoff. The young Aces got their opportunity, even as the final margin grew.
New York controls glass
Las Vegas struggled to find rhythm with its reshuffled lineup. NaLyssa Smith scored five points and created two more baskets, but the Aces shot 38 percent and committed four turnovers.
New York controlled the glass 14-7 and grabbed four offensive rebounds. Breanna Stewart scored six points, while the Liberty held Las Vegas without a lead and built an 11-point advantage.
Yamamoto and Justine Pissott each hit a 3 off the bench. However, New York stayed in front and closed the quarter with a 24-15 lead.
Young group hangs tough
Las Vegas nearly matched New York in the second, losing the quarter only 26-24. Kierstan Bell opened the Aces’ scoring with a 3, while Latson attacked the paint and free throw line.
Pissott gave Las Vegas its biggest lift. She scored eight points in the quarter, including two 3-pointers, as the Aces stayed within reach despite New York’s continued control of the glass.
Jonquel Jones scored 12 points in the period and helped the Liberty maintain separation. Yamamoto’s driving layup closed the half, but Las Vegas still trailed 50-39.
Liberty break it open
Las Vegas went more than five minutes without a basket to open the third. Smith finally ended the drought with a layup, but New York had already stretched the lead.
The Liberty kept finding answers as the quarter progressed. Rebecca Allen scored five straight points during one stretch before New York’s reserves took over late.
Marine Johannes scored eight points in the final 1:54, including two 3-pointers. Yamamoto answered with five late points, but New York won the quarter 24-12 and carried a 74-51 lead into the fourth.
Young pieces finish
Latson and Yamamoto kept attacking despite the deficit. Latson scored nine points in the fourth, while Yamamoto added six and continued creating for teammates.
New York’s depth overwhelmed Las Vegas down the stretch. Johannes hit four 3-pointers in the quarter, while Han Xu repeatedly finished inside as the Liberty scored 37 points.
The Aces managed 20 in the period, but the margin kept growing. New York closed out the 111-71 win behind 53 percent shooting, 14 made 3-pointers and a 52-26 advantage in the paint.
Latson finished with a team-high 20 points on 6-for-9 shooting and made seven of eight free throws. Yamamoto had 16 points and six assists, while Pissott added 11 points and three 3-pointers.
The veteran offense never found similar traction. Jewell Loyd finished with two points and went 0-for-4 from the field. Smith had seven points and six rebounds, while the five Las Vegas starters combined for 19 points.
New York received 27 points from Johannes off the bench. Jones added 15 points and eight rebounds, while Stewart scored 14.
The Liberty also dominated the glass 45-24 and grabbed 13 offensive rebounds.
For Las Vegas, the final game of the five-game trip became less about chasing a comeback and more about extended opportunity for its younger group.
The Aces leave the road at 22-11 after going 2-3 on the trip.
Up next
Las Vegas returns home to face the Washington Mystics on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.
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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.
