Aces center A’ja Wilson’s absence could be a determining factor in the outcome of the Commissioner’s Cup final against the Liberty. Melissa Tamez / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
June 30, 2026 Updated 6:00 pm EDT
NEW YORK — Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson has been ruled out of the Commissioner’s Cup championship Tuesday night against the New York Liberty due to a right leg injury, the team announced early Tuesday morning.
Wilson is expected to return to play later this week, according to Aces coach Becky Hammon.
The four-time MVP rolled her ankle late in Sunday’s 107-99 win against the Chicago Sky. She exited the game with 7:20 left in the fourth quarter for a brief trip to the locker room and returned with 7:05 remaining on the game clock. Wilson finished with 30 points, 15 rebounds and 4 steals. She scored 11 fourth-quarter points.
Wilson has been an example of peak health and performance throughout her career, missing just 14 games since being drafted with the first pick in 2018.
With the Commissioner’s Cup final looming and their offensive catalyst out, Hammon emphasized the importance of limiting the Liberty’s second-chance opportunities by winning the rebounding battle. While being without Wilson, the league’s leading scorer at 25.7 points per game, isn’t ideal, the Aces can use a smaller lineup to create advantages by speeding up the pace.
“We can spread them out,” Hammon said. “We have a lot of shooting out there. So, it changes up the looks for us and them. Poses different problems offensively and defensively.
“I think the chess match will be fun.”
The WNBA’s in-season tournament began in 2021 and has seen five teams crowned champions. The Aces and Liberty are both looking to become the first two-time Commissioner’s Cup champion in Tuesday night’s meeting at Barclays Center, the Liberty’s home court.
Jun 30, 2026
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