Jonquel Jones Leads Liberty to Victory

Finals MVP Jonquel Jones made a timely return to the playoff scene, showing her importance for a Liberty team that seems ready to add another trophy to its accolades.

She dominated the rebounding game, played aggressively, hit three-pointers, and executed some smooth underhanded assists.

In the Liberty’s 87-71 win against the Lynx on Tuesday night at Barclays Center, Jones ignited the team by scoring the first seven points. Her performance was remarkable, especially considering she shared the court with numerous All-Stars. She played a pivotal role in pushing her team into the semifinals.

Jones kicked things off with a putback on the Liberty’s opening possession, followed that with a three-point shot, and then added another putback. From that moment on, the Liberty was in the lead, never looking back.

“I just wanted to come out and be aggressive,” she stated.

The 32-year-old, who earned MVP honors during the Liberty’s championship victory over the Lynx in a demanding five-game series in 2024, finished the evening with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and two assists, delivering a standout performance typical of a modern big.

The Lynx, starting 6-foot-2 Natasha Howard at center, quickly shifted their strategy after Jones dominated them in the early stages, but they simply couldn’t come up with an answer.

“We definitely had a size advantage against them, which I thought would be beneficial for both me and the team,” Jones commented. “I wanted to impact the game by rebounding and posting up.”

Her strong finish, an and-1 against Napheesa Collier that stretched the Liberty’s lead to 79-60, exemplified her dominance.

“When JJ is playing like that, it makes things a lot easier for the rest of us,” said Sabrina Ionescu. “As a point guard, I aim to set her up for easy baskets, especially when she’s on a roll,” she added, pleased with how they connected during the game.

Moreover, Jones played a vital role in anchoring the Liberty’s defense, which held the Lynx to a mere 38.2 percent shooting, including only 18 successful 2-point attempts out of 48.

“Their rim protection was impressive,” remarked Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve.

Jones’ display this game was a stark contrast to her performance in last year’s playoffs, where she averaged just 5.7 points with a poor 7-for-26 shooting in a three-game loss to the Mercury.

This performance certainly sets a positive tone for the next round against either the Dream or Mystics—teams with young, athletic bigs that posed challenges for the Liberty during the regular season.

“She set the tone for us on both ends of the court and excelled on the boards,” Ionescu reflected. “That’s just what JJ brings to the team.”