Aces rally without Wilson, but Liberty claim Commissioner’s Cup

The Las Vegas Aces were short-handed, buried and still close enough to flip the Commissioner’s Cup final. They rallied from 17 down without A’ja Wilson, but New York answered late and beat Las Vegas 93-85 on Tuesday at Barclays Center.

Jackie Young led Las Vegas with 31 points and seven assists.

Size squeeze

The Aces survived the worst part of a rough first quarter, but New York still led 27-21 after one.

Jewell Loyd started in Wilson’s place, and the Aces had to adjust again almost immediately. Chelsea Gray took a head-to-head hit with Leonie Fiebich, went to the floor and headed to the locker room with 8:33 left.

Gray returned later in the quarter, but New York had already used its size to build a 14-4 lead. The Liberty doubled Las Vegas on the glass, 12-6, and had four offensive rebounds. However, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus gave Las Vegas needed hustle minutes, while Gray and Young helped find Chennedy Carter as Las Vegas stayed close.

Math problem

The Aces kept finding ways inside, but the math tilted hard toward New York in the second quarter.

Las Vegas went 0-for-11 from three in the first half and attempted only two free throws. Meanwhile, New York went 4-for-14 from deep and 17-for-17 at the line, turning the arc and free throw line into the difference.

Carter gave the Aces a needed lift with 12 first-half points off the bench, and NaLyssa Smith helped on the glass with four offensive rebounds. Still, the Liberty controlled the boards 24-17, blocked four shots and took a 51-37 lead into halftime.

Third-quarter fight

The Aces finally changed the game’s tone in the third quarter.

Las Vegas missed its first 13 3-pointers before Loyd hit from deep to cut New York’s lead to 56-43. The Liberty still stretched the margin to 60-43, but the Aces answered with better pace, cleaner movement and more pressure.

Young drove the push. She hit a 3, found Parker-Tyus and Kierstan Bell for baskets, then finished a strong and-one with 23.7 seconds left. Las Vegas closed the quarter on a 19-5 run and cut New York’s lead to 65-62 entering the fourth.

Run answered

The Aces did not lay down without the MVP.

Las Vegas tied the game at 67, then Young gave the Aces their first lead at 71-69 with 7:25 left. However, New York answered with a 12-0 run as the Aces went cold after taking control for the first time.

Carter stopped the drought with two free throws, then turned a steal into an and-one to cut the deficit to 84-79 with 3:05 left.