New York Liberty’s Jonquel Jones will be sidelined for four to six weeks following a sprained right ankle, the team confirmed Saturday. The injury forced Jones to exit Thursday’s game against the Phoenix Mercury, and subsequent medical evaluation revealed the severity of the sprain.

Recurring Ankle Issue Dates Back to June

Jones previously sprained the same ankle on June 5 during a game against the Washington Mystics, which caused her to miss nearly two weeks. After returning to play just two games, she unfortunately re-aggravated the injury, leading to the current prolonged absence.

Medical Assessment and Team Statement

The Liberty’s announcement offered some positive news regarding the injury’s long-term implications.

“After further imaging and evaluation, Jonquel avoided long-term injury, and she is projected to return to game action in approximately four-to-six weeks. Further updates will be provided as appropriate,”

the team said in their statement.

Jones’s Impact and Team Outlook

Despite limited appearances this season, Jones remains a critical player for New York Liberty, averaging 12.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists across nine games. Based on the recovery timeline, Jones could miss between nine and 15 games. However, the Liberty’s strong 10-2 record currently places them second in the WNBA standings, providing some cushion as they manage without their star forward.