Phoenix – Johnkel Jones in the Playoffs

Johnkel Jones really steps up during the playoffs. It’s like the vibrant spirit of her Bahamas roots becomes even more pronounced. Instead of feeling burdened by the pressure, she uses it to elevate her game—kind of like how pressure turns coal into diamonds, I guess.

Though Liberty boasts the most playoff experience with a total of 252 games, Jones, a player from New York, hasn’t seen the postseason as much. She’s felt both the pain of defeat and the joy of victory.

This is something she knows all too well, especially after a season that didn’t quite go as planned—she was left with that nagging feeling of unfinished business while waiting six months for the next WNBA season to begin.

That sense of leaving things unresolved has been a driving force for her over the years.

So, naturally, she decided to join New York ahead of the 2023 season. Winning the WNBA Championship became the goal she was determined to achieve, something she’d chased for far too long.

Last season, she experienced the thrill of triumph during an impressive 11-game stretch, leading New York to its first professional basketball championship in over half a century.

Jones averaged 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds, and she received the MVP title in the 2024 finals—shooting 56.1% overall and 42.9% from three-point range with the Lynx.

She also nailed all 19 of her free throws.

With the playoffs kicking off this Sunday, Jones is ready to show her playful side, turning into “playoff JJ.”

She’s crucial for Liberty as they face the Mercury in the first round, shouldering the responsibility of guarding her former teammate Alyssa Thomas.

But if anyone can handle the challenge that Thomas brings, it’s the charismatic Jones.

As the postseason starts, she has a proven track record of elevating her game. Historically, she scores more points, grabs more rebounds, dishes out more assists, and blocks more shots during the playoffs than in regular-season play. Her efficiency tends to rise, too.

Liberty is counting on her to help them make a significant playoff run, which is exactly what Jones aims for.

This season hasn’t been the smoothest ride for Liberty, though. Injuries complicated a lot of things, leading to frustrations along the way.

Jones sprained her right ankle twice, sidelining her for a month and derailing her hopes for a sixth All-Star selection.

Despite challenges, she ended the season with averages of 13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game, and she hit 1.7 three-pointers per game with a solid 42.4% shooting percentage.

Like many teammates, Jones hasn’t been playing at her peak lately. But the playoffs often bring a fresh start.

This might be the reset she needs to really shine.

Ultimately, Liberty knows what they want from Jones. They need her to tap into that power, grab rebounds as if they’re gold, commit to solid defense, and truly embody her potential.

She might just be the key to unlocking Liberty’s best performance yet.