Aces’ winning streak snapped in preview of Commissioner’s Cup championship

If this was a preview of next week’s Commissioner’s Cup championship game, the Las Vegas Aces might need level up their 3-point defense.

Breanna Stewart scored 20 points and the New York Liberty snapped the Las Vegas Aces three-game winning streak in an 87-76 victory on Tuesday night at Michelob Ultra Arena.

The Liberty knocked down 40% of their 3-point shots, including seven 3-pointers in the first half.

Stewart, who made 2 of 3 3-pointers, also finished with six rebounds and four assists as the Liberty snapped a two-game losing streak and picked up their sixth road win of the season.

The Aces have lost five of their last six games against the Liberty. Four of those losses came at Michelob Ultra Arena.

They meet in the Commissioner’s Cup title game next Tuesday in Brooklyn, New York.

“I think that it takes a second to get used to (New York’s) size and a feel for them,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said. “We are going to look at this as a learning point, but I thought we missed a lot of good looks.

“Some of that was their defense, but some of that is on us. I think we got good looks we just missed them.”

After shooting better than 40% from 3-point range in their previous two games, the Aces struggled from beyond the arc, converting 8 of 27 attempts and 2 of their first 15.

“I thought on their corner 3s we have to have more emphasis on getting them out of the corners,” Hammon said. “They just shoot it really well, and they’re also a team you can’t foul because they can shoot at the free-throw line.”

“This is a team coming off back-to-back losses, and this is a must-win game for them.I feel like we will have a better sense of urgency when we play them next week.”

Las Vegas struggled to find consistency, most evident in a 17-7 New York run to close the third quarter. The surge gave the Liberty a 67-51 advantage entering the final quarter.

Las Vegas was paced by 19 points and seven assists from Jackie Young, who led the team in scoring for the second time this season.

Young accounted for nine of the Aces’ first 11 points and continued to facilitate the offense effectively.

“We played hard tonight, and we just have to go back and clean up some things on the defensive end of the ball,” Young said. “They are a great team, and now we’ll go back and look at the film to make some adjustments.”

In an uncharacteristic performance, A’ja Wilson converted only 7 of 18 field-goal attempts while turning the ball over three times.

“It was just one of those nights,” Wilson said. “It sucks, but at the same time I think everyone in the room knows there aren’t going to be to many of these so it is just about bouncing back.

“We have a game coming up and I am going to try and turn the page.”

The Aces will look to avoid a season sweep Thursday when they host the Dallas Wings in the final game of their homestand. Las Vegas has lost previous meetings against Dallas this season on the road.