The WNBA regular season is back after the All-Star break, as the second half of the year starts, teams are looking to solidify their playoff outlooks. The defending WNBA champions from last season, the Las Vegas Aces, will take on the New York Liberty at home on Thursday evening in a highly-anticipated matchup.Â
These two teams have met twice already this season, both during the regular season and in the WNBA Commissioner's Cup Championship. The Liberty won both games, winning 87-76 in Las Vegas on June 23, as well as the 93-85 win in the Commissioner's Cup final on June 30. Â
As the Aces look to get their first-ever win over the Liberty this season, the key might just lie on Las Vegas' biggest star, A'ja Wilson. The former South Carolina Gamecock hasn't had a big impact in the previous two meetings, thanks to a couple of reasons.Â
How A'ja Wilson can power the Aces to a victory
Wilson playing well will be critical to Las Vegas getting a victory over the Liberty. In the first meeting on June 23, the Aces star was held to a season-low 16 points, and she shot just 38.9% from the floor. She did add nine rebounds and five assists and four steals, but even Jackie Young's 19 points wasn't enough to power Las Vegas' offense.Â
But roughly a week later, Wilson suffered an injury setback that caused her to miss a few games. Against the Chicago Sky on June 28, she rolled her ankle, causing her to miss the Commissioner's Cup championship against the Liberty. New York took advantage of the Aces' void on offense, winning 93-85. Wilson missed two more regular-season games but returned to action on July 9 against Portland.Â
But in recent games, Wilson has appeared to get back to full health and is looking like her dominant self. Against the Portland Fire earlier this week, Wilson scored 28 points with 14 rebounds in Vegas' 98-83 victory on Tuesday night. She scored 38 points with seven rebounds during the Aces' 100-99 road win over the Washington Mystics on July 22. Â
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It won't be easy for the Aces, even if Wilson has a big night. The New York Liberty has been on a hot streak in recent weeks, riding a three-game win streak against the Wings, Sky and Sparks. ESPN Analytics gives the Aces a 59.6% chance to get the victory.Â
Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Thursday night's showdown.Â
- When: Thursday, July 30Â
- Time: 10 p.m. ET
- Live Streaming: Prime Video
Thursday's game in Las Vegas will air live on Prime Video. After Thursday night's game, the Aces will take on the Chicago Sky on Saturday afternoon, and the Liberty goes on the road to face Phoenix.
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