拉斯维加斯王牌队主教练贝基·哈蒙决定让球队核心球员A'ja Wilson、Chelsea Gray和Jackie Young轮休，导致球队在周日以71:111不敌纽约自由人队[1]。这一决定源于球队经历的艰苦赛程安排——王牌队需要在不足24小时内从明尼苏达州驱车近1200英里抵达纽约，并在晚间接近10点才到达酒店[1]。加之周日比赛因ABC直播小联盟软球世界系列赛被提前至美东时间12:30开始，这些因素促使主教练选择保护球员[1]。
哈蒙在赛后强调了球员健康的重要性，表示"我的球员健康是最重要的"[1]。这三名球员即将参加下个月举行的国际篮联篮球世界杯，而WNBA联赛随后将有数周休赛[1]。
The Las Vegas Aces decided to rest three of their core players following an exhausting cross-country journey to face the New York Liberty. Head coach Becky Hammon held out A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young from Sunday's matchup, prioritizing player health as the team had traveled nearly 1,200 miles from Minnesota in less than 24 hours, arriving at their New York hotel close to 10 p.m. [1]
Without their three leading contributors, the Aces fell decisively to the Liberty, 71-111, in a game that started at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time due to ABC's broadcast of the Little League Softball World Series. [1] Hammon explained her approach to the difficult schedule, stating that "my players' health is the most important thing." [1] The coach's decision to rest the trio was also informed by their upcoming participation in next month's International Basketball Federation World Cup, with the WNBA set to take several weeks off following the tournament. [1]