Jonquel Jones had a down year in 2025, but she is a Finals MVP for a reason — it was very well visible in the New York Liberty’s 97-82 win this Wednesday. In Sandy Brondello’s homecoming game, Jones did just about everything, and with an impressive stat line, she has established herself as a double threat, joining three Liberty stars in an exclusive club.
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Jones imposed her will in the paint and delivered a 22-point, 17-rebound performance against the expansion team Toronto Tempo. With that, she joined Breanna Stewart, Tina Charles, and Kara Braxton as the only four in franchise history with 20+ points and 15+ points in a game.
The five-time All-Star finished the game with 2 assists and 2 blocks, shooting an efficient 9-of-14 from the field and 4-of-7 from three-point range. Speaking in the postgame press conference, Jones was asked what worked for her in this game. And for her, it simply came down to doing the little things well and trusting the work she has put in.
“I think just getting on the glass, I think, worked really well. I think I’m getting more comfortable being a ball handler in the offense and being able to get downhill and just trusting all the things that we do in practice to be able to go out there on the court and do it,” she said.
Jonquel Jones has averaged 12.7 points and 8.4 rebounds this season, but Wednesday marked her best performance as she continues to play an important role on both ends of the floor for New York as well.
🚨 In the dub tonight, Jonquel Jones NOW joins the elite Liberty 20–15 Club! 🚨
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 4, 2026
JJ is just the fourth player in @nyliberty history to record 20+ points and 15+ rebounds in a single game, joining some elite company: Tina Charles, Breanna Stewart, and Kara Braxton.
She reeled in… https://t.co/Ro2EaK11UK pic.twitter.com/cdLhCMIFtd
Breanna Stewart also shared the floor in the Tempo game and delivered 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. Stewart actually achieved Jones’ current record multiple times during her dominant, MVP-winning 2023 WNBA regular season with the New York Liberty. Averaging 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, she is in incredible form.
The win pushed Liberty to 6-4, second in the East, as they chase a fourth straight victory. They will look to maintain their winning momentum when they face the Indiana Fever in their next game.
Liberty Coach Praises Jonquel Jones After Historic Performance vs Toronto
New York Liberty head coach Charles DeMarco was full of praise for Jonquel Jones’ dominant performance in the postgame press conference.
“I thought JJ (Jonquel Jones) dominated this game,” DeMarco said. “And I think when we get from the start, when she’s controlling the glass like that on both ends, it’s a huge lift for everyone. Longer rebounds and it’s been a focus of ours really all year. This is one of our better offensive rebounding games.”
DeMarco even addressed the inclusion of Han Xu alongside Jones in a double-big lineup, which the Liberty deployed during the game to considerable effect.
“I just think it’s rare to have two fives that have a skilled shooting ability to score in the paint and just passing. They’re working well together. They read off each other well. So, we’ll keep looking at that going forward.”
It appears that this was a game in which a lot went right for the Liberty. Hopefully, they will be able to replicate this success against the Indiana Fever in their next game as the Commissioner’s Cup continues.
