Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson will not be playing against the New York Liberty on Sunday due to an ankle injury.
Wilson has not missed a game since August 3, 2019, and has only missed three regular-season games in her six-year career.
She hurt her right leg late in the game against Connecticut on Friday night but was able to walk off the court. On Sunday, the 28-year-old center was seen wearing a walking boot as she entered the arena.
“Tweaked her ankle a little bit there. Everyone saw it on TV,” Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon said. “Held her out today. We’ll see her status going into Indiana and how she feels.
There’s never a good time for this. Does get a couple days to get that ankle right and get a little bit of rest.”
Hammon mentioned there aren’t any long-term worries about Wilson. “Very precautionary and taking it very slow with her,” Hammon said.
The coach also noted that Wilson agreed to sit out on Sunday. “She didn’t really have a choice. I told her she’s sitting out,” Hammon said. “It wasn’t a very big fight.”
Wilson has been outstanding this season, averaging 27.3 points, 11.98 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. She has scored more than 40 points twice in the Aces’ last five games.
“A’ja is having an amazing season and that’s a big loss for them,” New York coach Sandy Brondello said. “We‘ve lost some of our best players this year. It allows Becky to explore different rotations and give confidence to other players. … She’s got nothing to lose in that regard, everything to gain.”
Wilson was not listed on the original injury report from Las Vegas released Saturday night but was ruled out a few hours before the game.
“She loves competing, and she super takes care of her body,” Hammon said. “She makes sure she’s ready to go. She makes all the decisions off the court that you guys never see or hear about to put her in the best position to be her best every night.”
