Liberty forward Jonquel Jones was named the Most Valuable Player of the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday, leading her team to a 129-122 victory over a record crowd of 19,783 at the United Center. Jones recorded a double-double with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists.
Jones, who is in her sixth All-Star Game appearance, dedicated the award to her late aunt, Marilyn Anita Knowles. "It means a lot to win the MVP at the All-Star Game," Jones said after the game. "There’s so many great players that have come before that have done it. … New York means so much to me and every time I put the jersey on. I know that I represent a city that loves the game and players that have come before me that have really paved the way."
Jones is the fourth player in league history to achieve MVP awards in the regular season, Finals, and All-Star Game, joining Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, and Maya Moore. Her teammate on the Liberty, Breanna Stewart, also participated in the game, finishing with six points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists.
In addition to the MVP award, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced that the league will launch a centralized replay center at the start of the next season. This center will leverage the NBA's existing replay center in Secaucus, N.J., to review plays in real time during games.
"This is one of the most significant investments we’ve ever made in our basketball operations," Engelbert said. "This investment of tens of millions of dollars will help bring greater consistency, efficiency and transparency to our officiating process while continuing to improve the quality of the game."
The commissioner also addressed the league's investigation into potential salary cap violations by the Las Vegas Aces. Engelbert stated that there was "insufficient evidence at this time to establish a salary cap circumvention violation," and therefore, no discipline would be recommended or imposed. She added that the league would continue to investigate if new evidence emerges.
Teresa Weatherspoon, recently fired as head coach of the Chicago Sky after one season, expressed her willingness to pursue another head coaching opportunity in the WNBA.