The New York Liberty have encountered a significant challenge as Jonquel Jones, their key player and reigning WNBA Finals MVP, suffered an ankle injury that will sideline her for four to six weeks. This setback comes amid a tough stretch for the team, which has recently experienced a couple of losses after an unbeaten start to their season and an early exit from the Commissioner’s Cup.
Jones was forced to leave the game against the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday with 8:35 remaining in the second quarter, during a match that ended in an 89-81 defeat for the Liberty. Reports on Saturday confirmed the ankle injury, marking the latest interruption in Jones’ season, as this is not her first significant absence due to injury. Earlier in the season, Jones missed games against the Fever and Mystics with a similar ankle problem and also took time off for a hamstring injury in May.
The most recent injury appears to be a re-aggravation of the ankle issue, which previously caused her to miss two games. The estimated recovery period suggests she could miss up to six matches, including four critical away contests against the Seattle Storm, Dallas Wings (formerly Valkyries), Mercury, and Atlanta Dream. These games come as the WNBA season reaches a pivotal phase for the Liberty, who currently lead the Eastern Conference with a 10-2 record.
Without their star center, New York’s frontcourt will depend heavily on Nyara Sabally, Kennedy Burke, and Isabelle Harrison to fill the void. The team faces a crucial challenge in maintaining their momentum and protecting their top spot as they travel to Seattle to face the Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on Sunday.
Coach Brondello Calls for Resilience in Face of Jones’ Absence
Both losses suffered by New York Liberty this season have occurred when Jonquel Jones was not on the court, emphasizing her importance to the team’s success. Coach Sandy Brondello acknowledged the gap left by Jones’ absence after the loss to Phoenix and pushed her players to raise their performance levels despite the setback.
During the post-game media briefing, Brondello said,
“We lose JJ, that obviously takes a little bit of the energy away from us for a bit. That’s normal, but we’ve got to find a way to rebound, you know, we just can’t just put it all on her … These are things we can fix, that’s just a mindset we’ve got to flip”
—Sandy Brondello, Head Coach, New York Liberty
The Liberty have struggled defensively and offensively in the paint without Jones’ presence, and they must quickly adapt if they hope to regain their winning form as the season progresses.
This injury compounds the pressure on New York, which was aiming to capitalize on a strong start to bolster their title aspirations. With Jones sidelined, the team’s depth and resilience will be tested over the upcoming weeks, and how they adjust could determine their prospects in the fiercely competitive Eastern Conference.