NEW YORK — Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson suffered a proper wrist damage within the second quarter of Tuesday’s loss to the New York Liberty and didn’t return.
She sustained the damage on a drive to the basket with 4:13 to play within the second quarter as she fell laborious after trying a shot over Liberty wing Leonie Fiebich.
Wilson remained on the ground for greater than a minute, and Las Vegas’ whole bench emptied and surrounded her. She was capable of stroll off the courtroom beneath her personal energy and made each of her ensuing free throws. Wilson performed lower than two extra minutes earlier than exiting the sport as soon as once more.
After the Aces’ 87-78 loss, coach Becky Hammon mentioned that she didn’t have an replace on Wilson, solely that Wilson will get an MRI on her wrist Wednesday morning.
“Clearly she modifies the entire dynamic on each ends of the ground for us,” Hammon mentioned. “You’ll be able to’t change her. For certain not one particular person, two, possibly even three, 4.
“Err on the facet of protected together with her. Large image. Our season is larger than simply this one sport. So we wish to be certain she’s good to go and never put her at any threat for injuring something or damaging something additional.”
Wilson missed three video games earlier this season after sustaining a concussion. Las Vegas went 1-2 in her absence. She missed two video games final season, which on the time marked Wilson’s first time sitting out regular-season video games since 2019.
The reigning WNBA MVP, who is ready to look in her seventh All-Star Recreation subsequent week, was not on Las Vegas’ bench because the third quarter started, however she returned to the sideline by the beginning of the fourth quarter together with her proper wrist wrapped.
Wilson entered Tuesday’s contest averaging 21.9 factors and 9.0 rebounds per sport, on 45.8 p.c capturing from the sphere. Her two made free throws have been her lone factors in Tuesday’s loss.
Regardless of Wilson’s absence, New York was unable to drag away till the ultimate minutes of the sport. The 2 groups have been tied at 72 with 4:14 remaining when the Liberty went on an 8-0 run to provide themselves a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Las Vegas didn’t make a subject objective within the remaining 5:41 of the loss and dropped to 9-10 on the season. After recording solely 4 first-half turnovers, the Aces dedicated seven turnovers within the fourth quarter alone.
“I nonetheless take a look at this as a sport we may have stole,” Hammon mentioned. “It’s a bummer that chance slipped away. But when we be taught from it? I’m good with it.”
Las Vegas is tied for eighth within the league standings with three video games remaining earlier than the All-Star break.
Sabrina Ionescu was one in every of 5 Liberty gamers to attain in double-figures, ending New York’s win with a game-high 26 factors, eight rebounds and eight assists.
Las Vegas guard Jackie Younger scored a team-high 19 factors whereas guard Dana Evans added 16 factors off the bench.
The Aces play the Washington Mystics on Thursday, with tipoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
“It’s A’ja Wilson, so not one particular person can simply fill that void,” Younger mentioned. “Simply hoping that it’s nothing too severe.”
(Photograph: Michelle Farsi / Getty Photographs)
