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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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After weeks of games to determine the WNBA's Eastern and Western Conference top teams in the Commissioner's Cup, the two teams will play in the final on Tuesday evening.
The Las Vegas Aces will represent the Western Conference, but they'll have to do so without their top superstar, A'Ja Wilson, who is reportedly out with a right leg injury.
Wilson appeared to suffer an ankle injury in her team's previous game against the Chicago Sky. She exited briefly but returned in the Aces' 107-99 win, and finished with an impressive 30-point, 15-rebound double-double on Sunday.
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However, her absence is a huge blow to the Aces' lineup as they'll be up against the New York Liberty on their home court.
"I think there's something to be said for when you're in the moment, you got some adrenaline, the joints are all very warmed up -- it's when you get off the court that you realize you probably tweaked it a little worse than you originally thought," Aces coach Becky Hammon told reporters, per ESPN.
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Hammon said that Wilson dislikes sitting out and missing games, but also indicated she didn't expect this injury to be a long-term problem for the reigning WNBA MVP.
Wilson is a three-time WNBA champion with the Aces and a four-time MVP in the league. She's averaging 25.7 points per game to lead the league and is fourth in rebounding with 9.4 per game. Additionally, Wilson is tied for the league lead with an average of two blocked shots per game.
The Liberty will also have one player out with injury as Satou Sabally is in concussion protocol. However, they'll have their own former league MVP, Breanna Stewart, as part of their frontcourt attack, and she might feast without Wilson guarding her or the paint.
Stewart is averaging 19.2 points per game and 8.5 rebounds. A week ago, she scored 20 points to go with six rebounds, four assists, and three blocks in the Liberty's 87-76 regular-season win over the Aces.
Wilson had 16 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and four steals in that game, but it was teammate Jackie Young who led the Aces with 19 points. Chelsea Gray finished with 11 points and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus added 14 points off the bench.
They'll need to rely on contributions from other star players and reserves without Wilson to have a chance against New York in this Commissioner's Cup final. Unsurprisingly, the home team is the favorite to win this matchup, especially without the Aces' superstar in the lineup.
Las Vegas has gone 14-5 this season, with much of that due to Wilson's participation in their games. However, the Aces are playing it smart, seeming to prefer she remain healthy for the remainder of their season as they try to repeat as WNBA champions.
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