Jackie Young didn’t just carry the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday night. She almost stole a Commissioner’s Cup title from the New York Liberty with a performance that felt like a statement. And when it was over, with the Aces falling 93-85 at Barclays Center, the first thing she wanted to talk about was A’ja Wilson.
Wilson sat this one out with a leg injury she picked up Sunday against the Sky. Without their four-time MVP — who averages 25.7 points, 9.4 boards, 2.9 assists, and a couple of blocks per game — the Aces needed someone to step up. Young obliged in a big way. She dropped a game-high 31 points, 26 of those after halftime, plus seven assists, two boards, and two steals.
It wasn’t enough to beat the Liberty, a team that keeps proving it’s built for exactly these moments. Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart did what they do. But Young’s night felt like more than just a loss. It was a reminder that the Aces aren’t just a one-woman show.
Young on Wilson: ‘She’s been by my side’
When a reporter asked Young about Wilson’s impact on her career, she didn’t hold back. The 28-year-old guard talked about being drafted No. 1 overall in 2019, a year after Wilson went first. They’ve been teammates ever since. They’ve won three WNBA titles together. They won Olympic gold together in Paris last summer. And somewhere along the way, a real bond formed.
“She’s been by my side throughout my whole career,” Young said, per Liberty reporter Myles Ehrlich. “We have had a lot of big moments together, highs and lows. She was just being there for me, being the big sister that she is, that she doesn’t really wanna be. She’s stuck with me.”
The “big sister she doesn’t really wanna be” part got some laughs on social media. But the sentiment was real. Young and Wilson might be the best inside-outside duo in the league, and that’s not just about basketball. They clearly have each other’s backs off the court too.
Aces coach Hammon backs Young after costly miss
It wasn’t all perfect for Young. She missed a crucial layup late that could have changed the game’s momentum. But Aces coach Becky Hammon didn’t let that overshadow the bigger picture. She came to Young’s defense postgame, pointing out the weight of what Young carried without Wilson on the floor.
“She kept us in it,” Hammon said. “That’s what leaders do.”
The Aces now turn around quickly for a Friday rematch against the Sky. Wilson’s status for that game is still up in the air. The team hasn’t confirmed anything. If she can’t go, Young just showed she’s ready to carry the torch again. And frankly, she looked pretty comfortable doing it.
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