The New York Liberty delivered a commanding performance Sunday, defeating the Las Vegas Aces 111-71 in a game that offered a glimpse of a potential playoff matchup. However, the victory came against an Aces team that opted to rest its star trio of A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young, who watched from the sidelines in street clothes.
The Liberty's own "Big 3" — Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones — also saw limited action, spending the entire fourth quarter on the bench as New York secured its fourth-largest win in franchise history. This victory also allowed the Liberty to clinch the season series against the Aces, winning two out of three contests.
New York had previously defeated Las Vegas on June 30 to win the Commissioner's Cup championship. In Sunday's game, the Liberty led by as many as 40 points, their largest margin of the season. Marine Johannes was a standout performer for New York, scoring a career-high 27 points. Marine Fauthoux contributed a team-high nine assists off the bench.
The win propelled the Liberty (20-13) into seventh place in the standings, leapfrogging the Wings, while the Aces (22-11) remain in third place. If the season concluded with current standings, the Aces would face the Mystics in the first round of the playoffs, and the Liberty would play the Valkyries.
The Liberty have been on an upward trajectory, winning seven of their last eight games. However, Sunday's game, where reserves on both sides accounted for significant scoring — 58 points for the Liberty and 52 for the Aces — may not be indicative of a future playoff series between the two teams. New York also hopes to have Leonie Fiebich (left foot injury) and Satou Sabally (concussion protocol) available before the postseason.