Jonquel Jones Returns to MVP Form, Powers Liberty Victory

Jonquel Jones rediscovered her MVP form at a critical juncture for the Liberty, leading her team to an 87-71 victory over the Lynx in Game 2 at Barclays Center. Her assertive play on both ends of the court was instrumental in securing the win and advancing the Liberty to the semifinals.

Jones opened the scoring by notching the first seven points of the game, setting an aggressive tone that the Liberty maintained throughout. She scored on a putback, followed by a 3-pointer, and then another putback, establishing an early lead that the team never relinquished. "I just wanted to come out and be aggressive," Jones stated after the game.

Already a Finals MVP from the Liberty's championship run, the 32-year-old Jones finished the game with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and two assists, showcasing a versatile game that troubled the Lynx. The Lynx, who started Natasha Howard at center, attempted to counter Jones' dominance by going with a smaller lineup, but struggled to contain her impact.

"Obviously, we had a size advantage against them, and I felt like being in the paint was just going to be advantageous for me and also for the team," Jones explained. "My biggest thing was just trying to affect the game in that way, whether it was rebounding or posting up."

A key moment came with 6:10 remaining in the game when Jones completed an and-one play over Napheesa Collier, extending the Liberty's lead to 79-60 and effectively sealing the victory. "When JJ is doing that, it makes our jobs easier," said teammate Sabrina Ionescu. "For me as a point guard, it’s my job to try and get her easy ones, especially when she’s rolling and sealing, and glad we were able to find her tonight."

Jones also anchored the Liberty's defense, which limited the Lynx to 38.2 percent shooting from the field. "They were very good defending the rim," commented Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve.

This performance marked a significant turnaround for Jones, who faced struggles in the Liberty's first-round playoff exit the previous year. Her resurgence in this series provides a strong boost for the Liberty as they prepare for their next matchup against either the Dream or Mystics, teams that presented challenges during the regular season with their athletic young bigs.

"She set the tone for us, offensively, defensively, her ability to get on the boards," Ionescu added. "That’s what JJ does."