Las Vegas Aces coach benches three starters in national TV game amid scheduling concerns
Aces Coach Explains Decision
Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon opted to bench three of her usual starters—A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young—during a nationally televised game against the New York Liberty on Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn. The decision came after the Aces played a game on Saturday, leading to a back-to-back road schedule. Hammon stated that the health and safety of her players were the primary concern behind the move.
The three players, who typically start for the Aces, did not participate in the game beyond cheering for their teammates. Jewell Loyd, Dana Evans, and Brianna Turner took their places in the starting lineup. The Liberty secured a 111-71 victory in the matchup at their home Barclays Center court.
Hammon defended her decision, explaining that it was a “bigger picture type scenario” and that she was willing to accept the loss for the long-term benefit of her team. She emphasized that she would not put players in “any kind of jeopardy to get hurt,” especially given the team’s recent travel and energy expenditure.
Scheduling and Player Welfare
The Aces had played against the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday, where Wilson, Young, and Gray all played their typical minutes. The quick turnaround for the Sunday game, particularly with travel involved, influenced Hammon’s choice to rest her key players. She noted that while these are significant matchups that people want to see, the scheduling should ensure fairness.
The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement, which was established before the current season, includes language that commits the league to make “reasonable and good faith efforts” to provide at least 20 hours between the scheduled start of a team’s first game in a back-to-back and the second game. Additionally, the WNBA has a guideline suggesting a minimum of 22 hours between back-to-back games, provided travel does not exceed one time zone. This guideline is similar to practices in the NBA.
For this specific weekend, the Aces’ Saturday game tipped off at 1 p.m. ET, and their Sunday game was scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET. The Lynx also played a back-to-back on Saturday, but both of their games were at home.
Impact and Future Implications
The Liberty’s Jonquel Jones acknowledged that the Aces had to prioritize what was best for their team and players’ bodies, even though competitors would have preferred to face the full starting lineup. The Aces’ injury report officially listed Wilson, Young, and Gray as out for rest. Rookie Justine Pissott was available despite a right leg injury.
The Las Vegas Aces currently hold a 22-10 record, placing them third in the WNBA standings. The New York Liberty are in eighth place with a 19-13 record and entered the game on a three-game winning streak. The WNBA schedule is expected to expand in future seasons, with a 50-game slate planned for the next season, an increase of six games from 2026.
Hammon’s decision in Brooklyn could be seen as a broader message to the WNBA regarding scheduling practices, even when games technically fall within the established guidelines. The Aces’ game against the Liberty tipped off at 12:30 p.m. ET from the Barclays Center in New York.
Source: foxnews.com
