WNBA Commissioner’s Cup 2026: Liberty Defeat Aces To Claim Trophy

The New York Liberty claimed the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup with a 93-85 win over the Las Vegas Aces, led by Sabrina Ionescu’s 26 points and Breanna Stewart’s 25. New York pulled away late after trailing early in the fourth quarter, closing strongly against an Aces side missing star forward Aja Wilson.

The decisive spell arrived after Las Vegas moved ahead 71-69 early in the final period. New York answered with a 15-2 surge that changed the game. Pauline Astier sparked that stretch with a 3-pointer at the 7:08 mark, and the Liberty controlled the tempo from that point.

Ionescu completed the crucial run with a 3-pointer that pushed the Liberty lead to 84-73 with 3:39 remaining. The Aces responded again, cutting the gap to 86-82 when Jackie Young hit a 3 with 2:26 left, keeping the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup contest in doubt late.

Las Vegas stayed competitive despite the absence of four-time MVP Aja Wilson, who injured a right ankle on 28 June in a win over Chicago. Young carried much of the attacking load, finishing with 31 points, including 25 after half-time, as the Aces challenged New York throughout the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup matchup.

WNBA Commissioner’s Cup history and Liberty’s repeat success

Young had a chance to cut the deficit to three with 37 seconds left but missed a contested layup at the rim. Ionescu then hit another 3-pointer on the following possession, effectively deciding the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup clash and closing out New York’s victory over Las Vegas.

The Liberty lift the in-season trophy for the second time, having also defeated the Aces in the 2023 final. New York become the first franchise to win the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup twice, since the competition began in 2021, underlining consistent success in the league’s mid-season tournament format.