WNBA Champion Dealt Disappointing News on Saturday
WNBA Champion Dealt Disappointing News on Saturday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
On the heels of one of the most dominant starts in franchise history, the New York Liberty received sobering news on Saturday.
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All-Star center Jonquel Jones will miss approximately four to six weeks after re-spraining her right ankle in Thursday's loss to the Phoenix Mercury.
Jones's extended absence comes at a pivotal juncture for a Liberty squad that burst out of the gate with a historic undefeated 9-0 record through May and early June but has begun to show cracks in recent weeks.
New York saw its first loss of the season a week ago against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, and then just days ago, against the Mercury.
With the WNBA All-Star game exactly four weeks away, the Liberty won't see Jones in the lineup for at least the next nine games, with the potential to miss all of July games.
A native of Freeport, The Bahamas, Jones is a five-time All-Star, three-time rebounding leader and was named WNBA MVP in 2021 after averaging 19.4 points and a league-leading 11.2 rebounds per game.
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Last season, she played a driving force role in New York's first-ever WNBA title, earning Finals MVP honors by scoring 17 points in Game 5.
Beyond her league accolades, Jones has a decorated overseas resume, capturing championships and individual honors in Korea, Russia, and China during WNBA off-seasons.
New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones (35) drives to the basket.Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Jones originally suffered the sprain during a June 5 victory over Washington, missing two games before returning against Atlanta on Tuesday.
After re-injuring the same ankle midway through the second quarter against Phoenix, she exited in a walking boot and underwent imaging that revealed no structural damage.
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Nevertheless, team doctors have now recommended a conservative four-to-six-week recovery period.
With Jones sidelined for the next month and a half, the Liberty face a steep challenge to maintain their Eastern Conference leadership through the All-Star break.
Related: Stephanie White Breaks Silence After Missing Chicago Sky Game
Related: WNBA Reacts to Caitlin Clark's Actions During Chicago Sky Game
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
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