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Stewart’s 36 Leads Liberty Past Lynx Without Wilson

7/4/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A'ja Wilson, averaging 25.7 points and an MVP candidate, missed Tuesday’s Commissioner's Cup final in Las Vegas with an ankle injury.
Coach Becky Hammon called the injury a tweak and said Wilson should recover in a few days.
Breanna Stewart scored 36 points as the New York Liberty beat Minnesota 99-86, while Satou Sabally sat out due to concussion protocol, preventing Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve from tying the wins record.

History

Historical Context

When the WNBA launched in 1997, the Houston Comets captured the first championship, beating the New York Liberty 65-51 behind Cynthia Cooper’s MVP performance and an 18-10 regular-season record. That early dominance of star power echoes today as the Liberty lean on A’ja Wilson’s scoring, reminding the league that health of marquee players still decides playoff fate.

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Story summary

A'ja Wilson, averaging 25.7 points and an MVP candidate, missed Tuesday’s Commissioner's Cup final in Las Vegas with an ankle injury.
Coach Becky Hammon called the injury a tweak and said Wilson should recover in a few days.
Breanna Stewart scored 36 points as the New York Liberty beat Minnesota 99-86, while Satou Sabally sat out due to concussion protocol, preventing Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve from tying the wins record.

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