Scheduling and travel logistics, including time-zone changes and back-to-back cross-country travel between Minneapolis, Chicago, Indiana, and New York, shaped the decision.

The Las Vegas Aces rested star trio A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray for a nationally televised Sunday game against the New York Liberty, citing schedule-based load management and player health and safety.

Las Vegas lost to New York 111-71 without those players, underscoring concerns about health and durability amid a demanding travel slate.

Resting the core players could affect the perception of the WNBA Rivals Week and the ongoing rivalry narrative between the Aces and Liberty.

The ABC 12:30 p.m. EDT tipoff amplified travel strain, requiring an early wake-up for players who had just completed a cross-country journey.

The national TV game on ABC added visibility to the decision amid a high-profile matchup.

Becky Hammon defended load management as prioritizing health and safety, tying the decision to historical experimentation with load management in the Spurs era.

NBA and WNBA scheduling generally avoids two-time-zone travel and sub-22-hour gaps on consecutive days, according to scheduling sources.

The back-to-back nature and travel contributed to the rest strategy to preserve health for the stretch run and postseason.

The decision came during a dense schedule, with three games in four days, including recent wins and prior travel."},{