2021 WNBA MVP to Miss Time Due to Ankle Injury
The New York Liberty announced that center Jonquel Jones will miss four to six weeks due to a right ankle sprain. The injury occurred at the 8:35 mark of the second quarter during Thursday night’s game against the Phoenix Mercury. Jones had previously sprained the same ankle earlier this month on June 5th in a game against the Washington Mystics. Fortunately, the team confirmed that she has avoided a long-term injury and is expected to return to action later this season. The Liberty is closely monitoring her progress to ensure a full recovery before she re-enters the competition.
Jonquel Jones has been a cornerstone of the Liberty’s dominance this season, helping propel the team to the top of the league standings. Throughout June, she has averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds per game, consistently delivering double-doubles and providing a steady interior presence. Her impact on the glass and in the paint has been crucial to maintaining New York’s elite net rating against opponents. A five-time WNBA All-Star and five-time All-WNBA Team selection, Jones also earned the league’s Sixth Woman of the Year award in 2018 and Most Improved Player honors in 2017. She boasts a decorated WNBA career, highlighted by winning the 2024 WNBA Championship and Finals MVP with the Liberty, as well as being named MVP in 2021. The Liberty will need Jones healthy when it matters most, as they gear up for another championship run.
The Liberty has plenty of star power to maintain its dominance without Jonquel Jones. Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Natasha Cloud will all need to step up and do a little more in the coming weeks. The trio already combines for an impressive 50 points per game, with Stewart leading in scoring, Ionescu facilitating the offense, and Cloud contributing significantly in assists and defensive schemes. It will be interesting to see how head coach Sandy Brondello navigates rotations and minutes to keep the team balanced and effective during Jones’s absence. Their continued leadership and performance will be crucial as Liberty aims to stay at the top of the standings and continue its dominance without Jones for the foreseeable future.
