PREVIEW: The New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces are set to clash in a highly anticipated WNBA matchup at Michelob ULTRA Arena, with tip-off scheduled for 9:30 PM ET on ESPN. The Liberty will be without Breanna Stewart, relying instead on Jonquel Jones and newly acquired Emma Meesseman to defend the interior. A'ja Wilson arrives in peak form, fresh off a historic 32-point, 20-rebound performance that marked the first 30-20 game in WNBA history. Sandy Brondello's Liberty have won 4 of their last 5 games, while Becky Hammon's Aces have secured 7 victories in their last 10 contests. The teams share a charged postseason history, with Las Vegas defeating New York in the 2023 WNBA Finals, but the Liberty subsequently avenging that loss in the 2024 semifinals and remaining unbeaten against the Aces in their two most recent meetings. The Liberty are averaging 86.4 points per game while holding opponents to 80.9, compared to the Aces' 82 points scored and 82.9 points allowed. New York comes into the game riding high after a victory over the Los Angeles Sparks, with Emma Meesseman averaging 14.6 points per game since her August 1st signing. With the added intrigue of a heated coaching rivalry between Brondello and Hammon, this matchup promises fireworks that have been building since the 2023 Commissioner's Cup and WNBA Finals.