Liberty's Jonquel Jones answering coach's rebounding challenge
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WASHINGTON — Liberty coach Sandy Brondello had a simple explanation Friday night for why her travel-weary team managed to grab a season-high 47 rebounds against the Mystics.
'JJ was playing,' Brondello said after the Liberty's 85-63 win, 'so that's a good start for us.'
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JJ, meaning Jonquel Jones, the 2024 Finals MVP who's been churning out double-doubles this season as often as Zara releases new products.
Brondello said she was 'joking.'
Truth be told, though, she wasn't.
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Jones' absence was felt Thursday, when the Liberty squeaked out a win against the Valkyries.
Jones had to make what she called a 'smart' decision to rest after discomfort flared up in her right hamstring, knowing the team would need her more Friday against the Mystics.
Jones may not have been 100 percent Friday, and that win may not have been her most efficient start.
But an overextended hamstring couldn't keep Jones off the glass in the nation's capital.
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With her shot not falling early, Jones focused on an expertise that sometimes can be as much about effort as skill.
3 Jonquel Jones shoots over Stefanie Dolson during the Liberty's win over the Mystics.
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Knowing that Brondello has harped on the team about rebounding all season, Jones made a conscious effort to crash the boards.
'It's a point of emphasis for me right now,' Jones said. 'Our team right now, we're kind of losing a rebounding war, and so it's just something that I can bring every night — whether my shots have fallen or not. It's something that I can use to kind of affect the game and kind of get me going. And I think that's what happened tonight.'
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Jones notched 18 rebounds, the most she's had in a regular-season game since 2019. She also finished with 14 points — 10 in the second half.
3 Jonquel Jones boxes out and battles for rebounding position during the Liberty's win over
the Mystics.
NBAE via Getty Images
The Liberty improved to 26-0 when Jones has a double-double. Friday was her fourth this season.
In general, the Liberty have been a steady rebounding team. They average 37.3 per game, which is the league's third-best mark.
The issue, though, is that they give up too many second-chance opportunities.
3 Jonquel Jones drives to the basket during the Liberty's win over the Mystics.
NBAE via Getty Images
The Libs are allowing a league-high 11.5 offensive boards per game. The defending champions have surrendered 15 offensive boards twice this season, including in Thursday's win against the Valkyries.
Overall, the Liberty's rebound rate through the first six games is down four percent compared to last season's start, per WNBA advanced stats.
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There are a few factors for why that might be.
For one, the Liberty's defensive scheme can be switch-heavy at times, which sometimes brings post players out to the perimeter or guards under the basket. Opposing teams can feast on undisciplined behaviors when it comes to tagging up or boxing out, too.
'Rebounding is kind of an effort thing,' Breanna Stewart said. 'So I think we just need to be more conscious and more aware of it.'
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One player, such as Jones, can make a huge difference. But the best rebounding teams approach it by committee.
'We know JJ is going to get in there, but we need everybody because that allows us to get out and run,' Brondello said. 'It was nice to finally win on that stat [Friday.]'
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