Jones Set to Return for Dream Match

It looks like Freedom is about to get a much-needed boost.

Johnkel Jones is confirmed to play in her much-anticipated match at the Barclays Center on Tuesday, as announced by coach Sandy Blondelo during practice on Monday.

There won’t be any restrictions on her minutes for the game; she even took an active role in practice with the team.

“JJ is back for tomorrow, and we’ll move forward from there,” Blondero stated. “She participated in live drills, but we pulled her near the end of practice after about an hour. That was plenty for what we needed to prepare.”

Jones had previously struggled with a sprained right ankle, which she sustained during a game against the Mystics on June 5. Unfortunately, she only logged six minutes before injuring herself when she rolled her ankle under the basket.

Since then, she’s missed two games, including a disappointing first loss of the season following a franchise record of nine consecutive wins.

Her return could provide a significant lift to Freedom, especially in light of the absence of both Jones and teammate Leonie Fevich, who is currently representing Germany at the Eurobasket tournament.

The team suffered defensively as they played against the Fever without two starters, allowing an eye-popping 102 points and 17 three-pointers.

As a five-time All-Star at 31, Jones will be crucial in matching up against rivals like Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones, presenting a sizable challenge near the rim.

Sabrina Ionescu reflected on the recent game, noting, “We have a strange lineup. With both starters out, we weren’t as fluid as we could be. It’s tough to lose two key players on both offense and defense. But it’s also a valuable chance to learn and improve team chemistry.”

This season, Jones has been averaging 13.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game, shooting 47.8% from the field, with a notable increase in her three-point shooting at 42.9%, up from 38.8% last year.