Behind the strong start to the season, the New York Liberty is in second position in the 2025 WNBA standings. The defending champions had a rough patch in between, missing out on the Commissioner’s Cup final following a loss against the Indiana Fever. Since then, the defending champions played nearly two weeks without their regular starting center, Jonquel Jones.
Meanwhile, the head coach, Sandy Brondello, tried her best to make offensive plays for her side without the Bahamian star. They lost four games in the six matches without the center. Now, there is an update on the 31-year-old.
Sandy Brondello Shades Light On Jonquel Jones’ Return Date
The 2024 WNBA Finals MVP has been the team’s most impactful player on both ends of the floor. She leads the side in rebounds and joins Breanna Stuart as the only Liberty player with a block-per-game average. With her absence, the Liberty team struggled in the paint region. Fans are looking ahead to Jones’ return. WNBA insider Madeline Kenney has updates on the topic.
“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,” Brondello wrote on X.
On June 19, Jonquel Jones suffered an ankle injury during the game against the Phoenix Mercury. After the MRI, it was revealed that she would be fit to play within four to six weeks. She had already sprained her ankle in June against the Mystics, and the injury against Mercury on the same leg aggravated the severity.
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Before the All-Star game, the 2024 champions have four more home games. These will be against top teams like Storm (July 6), Aces (July 8), Dream (July 14), and Fever (July 16).
Did Injury Cost Jonquel Jones A Place In the All-Star Game?
Playing in her ninth season in the league and second with the New York franchise, Jones has made it into the last five All-Star games. But an injury, three weeks before the All-Star game, was devastating news for her. While Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier lead the All-Star voting, other NY players selected are Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu.
Voted the 19th best player, Jonquel Jones received 354,669 votes and had a chance for her sixth consecutive All-Star game. As per the reserves announced, the forwards chosen ahead of former Connecticut Sun player Alyssa Thomas, Angel Reese, Kiki Iriafen, Kayla Thorton, and Gabby Williams are added to the reserve place.
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