Coach Sandy Brondello faces a difficult task as the New York Liberty prepare to host the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday, hoping to halt their recent slide. After an impressive 9-0 start to the season, the Liberty have lost six of their last nine games and dropped out of the top two standings, with injury problems playing a major role in their struggles.
New York’s injury woes have mounted, with Isabelle Harrison and Sabrina Ionescu sidelined by ongoing health issues. Most concerning is the status of Jonquel Jones, who suffered a right ankle injury on June 19 against the Phoenix Mercury and has not returned since. This setback has significantly affected the team’s performance on both ends of the floor.
Outline of Jonquel Jones’ Injury and Absence Timeline
Jones’ injury occurred during the second quarter of the June 19 game, and she has been absent from all matches following that event. The 31-year-old center was initially expected to miss four to six weeks. However, her return now seems unlikely before the All-Star break, with no confirmed timetable for her comeback.
In a recent update, Brondello declined to give a firm return date but acknowledged that getting Jones back shortly after the All-Star break would still be a positive outcome.
“If we can get her back after [the] All-Star break, that’s still a win, isn’t it? Because it was supposed to be in August,”
—Sandy Brondello, Head Coach
This injury pause has interrupted Jones’ consistent presence in the Liberty lineup since her trade from the Connecticut Sun in 2023. Known for her reliability, Jones has missed only one regular-season game in the last two seasons prior to this injury.
Jones’ Impact on Liberty’s Defensive and Overall Performance
Jones played a vital role in the Liberty’s recent successes, including their run to the WNBA Finals in 2023 and their first-ever championship victory last year, when she delivered an All-Star caliber season. Standing 6’6″, her influence on defense has been especially significant, and the team’s defensive struggles have become evident since her absence.
In the nine games following Jones’ injury, the Liberty have allowed 89 points or more in six contests, revealing a gap in their defensive fortitude. Without Jones, New York has had difficulty stopping opponents, which has contributed to the string of losses.
Jonquel Jones’ timeline to return remains up in the air. Sandy Brondello doesn’t anticipate Jones to be back before All-Star break. “If we can get her back after All-Star break, that’s still a win, isn’t it? B/c it was supposed to be in August.”
—Madeline Kenney, Journalist
Beyond defense, Jones has provided strong rebounding presence this season, averaging 9.6 rebounds per game over nine matches, outpacing notable forwards like A’ja Wilson, Azura Stevens, and Aliyah Boston. She also contributes more than a block per game, highlighting her importance on the inside.
Liberty’s Upcoming Schedule and Outlook Without Their Star Center
As the Liberty enter a critical stretch ahead of the All-Star break, they face challenging contests against the Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, and Indiana Fever within the next eight days. Navigating this difficult run without Jones will require adjustments from the team’s coaching staff and players alike.
Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu remain the primary scoring threats, but the absence of Jones creates a defensive and rebounding vacuum that New York must find ways to address. The lack of their star center puts added pressure on the team’s depth and strategy as they hope to regain their early-season momentum.
Jones’ injury update signals a prolonged recovery process, which if extended beyond the All-Star break, could influence New York’s playoff positioning and overall ambitions for 2025. Ensuring a healthy return for Jones will be crucial for the Liberty’s chances of returning to championship contention.