BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A'ja Wilson missed today's matchup between the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty after hurting her ankle in Friday's win, leaving head coach Becky Hammon to have some fun showing off her new starters.
Wilson, who injured his ankle in a win over the Connecticut Sun, was not initially placed on the injured list but was ruled out just hours before kickoff and was seen wearing a walking boot as he entered Barclays Center.
Hammon confirmed Wilson had undergone imaging tests, adding that “everything is essentially normal and there are no long-term concerns.”
Before the game, Hammon was asked who would start and he threw the question around the room.
“Who do you think it will be? I'll tell you, true or false,” Hammon said with a smile. Reporters made guesses until Megan Gustafson was revealed as the fifth starter. Keir Stokes was the media favorite, but Hammon said she would likely come off the bench.
“We've actually been going back and forth between the two, so I think we're moving in the right direction,” Hammon said.
Megan Gustafson is averaging 10.2 minutes per game this season, so while replacing Wilson is a impossible task, she has seen steady playing time for Las Vegas this season.
Wilson, meanwhile, will miss his first regular-season game in three seasons but could return to the lineup soon. The Aces next face the Fever on Wednesday, but the two-time MVP doesn't appear to plan on missing that game.
“We'll see how she is before we head to Indiana,” Hammon said, adding that he wouldn't mind Wilson getting some extra rest.
For now, Hammon plans to start Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plumb, Alysha Clark and Megan Gustafson for the Aces, while Sabrina Ionescu, Courtney VanderSloot, Betnijah Laney Hamilton, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones will start for the Liberty.
