The Las Vegas Aces host the New York Liberty on Tuesday at 10 p.m. EDT after Jackie Young scored 21 points in Las Vegas’ 92-73 win over the Golden State Valkyries. The matchup pairs a strong Aces home record with a Liberty road team that averages 14.6 turnover
Las Vegas is still riding the momentum of a decisive win when the New York Liberty arrive Tuesday night.
Jackie Young scored 21 points as the Las Vegas Aces routed the Golden State Valkyries 92-73, and now the Aces will try to carry that same edge into their first matchup with the Liberty this season. Tipoff is set for 10 p.m. EDT at Las Vegas.
The Aces come in 12-4 overall and 9-4 in the Western Conference. At home, they’re 4-2, with Las Vegas scoring 90.1 points per game and outscoring opponents by 4.4 points per game. On the other end. they’re dealing with a gap that matters: Las Vegas scores 90.1 points and has outscored opponents by 4.4 points per game. while the Liberty—on the season—give up 83.5 points per game.
New York, meanwhile, enters at 11-6 overall and 8-1 in the Eastern Conference. The Liberty are 5-2 in road games. Their record may look solid. but the matchup is likely to hinge on ball security—New York averages 14.6 turnovers per game. and the number is central to how they’re listed: New York is 3- when it turns the ball over less than its opponents.
Shooting will be part of the story, too. New York has shot 46.3% from the field this season, which is 3.0 percentage points higher than the 43.3% shooting opponents of Las Vegas have averaged.
The contrast between scoring and defense is where tensions could build. Vegas scores more than New York allows, and the difference suggests the Aces will try to push their pace. New York will need to protect the ball and keep their shooting efficiency steady if they want to break the rhythm of a team already averaging 90.1 points.
A’ja Wilson is pacing the Aces with a 52.7% field goal rate and 25.7 points per game. Young is averaging 19.1 points over the last 10 games.
For the Liberty, Jonquel Jones is averaging 14.2 points and 9.1 rebounds, while Breanna Stewart is averaging 18.1 points over the last 10 games.
Both teams have been rolling in recent stretch. Over their last 10 games, the Aces are 8-2 and are averaging 89.1 points with 35.7 rebounds, 23.9 assists, 6.6 steals, and 4.5 blocks per game. They’re shooting 47.8% from the field, while their opponents have averaged 84.6 points per game.
The Liberty’s last 10 games also read well: 8-2, averaging 89.4 points with 37.3 rebounds, 20.1 assists, 6.0 steals, and 4.5 blocks per game. They’re shooting 46.1% from the field, and their opponents have averaged 81.2 points per game.
Injuries could shape the rotation. For the Aces, Dana Evans is out with a leg injury, Chennedy Carter is out with an illness, and Janiah Barker is out with a leg injury. For the Liberty, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton is day to day with a knee.
When the first meeting of the season finally arrives. the question isn’t just whether Las Vegas can translate its 92-73 rout into another dominant night—it’s whether New York can limit turnovers. match the Aces’ shooting. and keep the game from turning into the kind of scoring gap that favors a team already outscoring opponents by 4.4 points per game at home.
Las Vegas Aces New York Liberty Jackie Young A'ja Wilson Jonquel Jones Breanna Stewart WNBA injuries turnovers
92-73 is wild, Young really went off. Las Vegas bout to cook the Liberty again.
Wait why are they talking about turnovers like it’s the main thing lol. If Liberty are averaging 14.6 turnovers then Vegas just needs to press for steals and it’s over.
I don’t get it, they say Liberty give up 83.5 but then the article keeps saying Vegas outscored by 4.4 like that’s defensive? Also 10 p.m. EDT means 10 p.m. here right? I’m in California so idk.
Young 21 points and suddenly everybody’s a genius. But if New York is the one averaging turnovers, that stat is probably fake or from some weird garbage counting. I’d still bet on whoever has the better defense, not this turnover talk.