AP Sports Preview PHOENIX (Interstat) — The New York Liberty visit the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday at Mortgage Matchup Center in a pivotal WNBA matchup between two of the league’s elite teams. New York (15-12) enters on a three-game winning streak after a dramatic 95-94 victory over Chicago on July 22, a game in which Sabrina Ionescu scored 29 points with four rebounds and four assists. The Liberty have been inconsistent this season, splitting their last 10 games while struggling to sustain defensive intensity. They dropped four consecutive contests from July 7-18 before righting themselves with tight wins over Dallas and Chicago. Las Vegas (18-8) sits firmly atop the Western Conference standings despite a 100-99 loss to Washington on July 22. The Aces have been dominant at home, though this game is technically a neutral-site contest in Phoenix. Las Vegas has won seven of its last 10 outings, with A’ja Wilson putting up monster numbers, including 38 points and seven rebounds in the loss to the Mystics. The matchup features two of the league’s most dynamic stars. Ionescu has averaged 20.7 points over her last seven games, though her efficiency has dipped in losses. She scored 28 points in a July 12 loss to Toronto and 25 in a July 11 loss to Minnesota. Wilson has been even more prolific, posting 26.5 points and 7.5 rebounds over her last four appearances, including a 26-point, six-rebound, four-block effort in a July 20 win over Toronto. The teams last met on June 23, when New York won 87-76 in Las Vegas. Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones combined for 34 points and 19 rebounds in that victory. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 95-82 Las Vegas victory. Both teams open road trips Aug. 1 — New York at Phoenix and Las Vegas at Chicago — before their next head-to-head meeting Aug. 9 in New York. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Pacific.