NEW YORK — The Las Vegas Aces' starting five was unrecognizable Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn. Instead of A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young taking the center circle for the tipoff, they sat at the end of the bench as Jewell Loyd, Dana Evans and others filled in. The Aces lost to the New York Liberty, but head coach Becky Hammon stood by her decision to rest key players.
"We're going to take the L if we have to," Hammon said after the game, defending the team's load management strategy. She emphasized that the priority is having players healthy for the playoffs, not winning every regular-season game.
The Aces, who have been dealing with injuries and fatigue, chose to sit their stars to avoid further wear and tear. Hammon's comments sparked debate among fans and analysts about the balance between resting players and competing at full strength.
Despite the loss, the Aces remain in contention for a top seed in the WNBA playoffs. The team is expected to have its full roster available for the postseason, which is the ultimate goal.
