No one can deny the kind of energy Jonquel Jones brings to the floor. Well, she was the 2024 Finals MVP for a reason. And if there’s still any doubt, the head coach is here to clear it all up. “She just impacts the way that we want to play in so many ways,” shared Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello when speaking about JJ. Well, the HC made that statement after the Liberty had to play two consecutive games without JJ, as the forward missed both games against the Chicago Sky and the second against the Indiana Fever.

And no doubt, Brondello’s right – you can’t overlook an average of 43.8% from beyond the arc in every game. So finally, the Liberty brought JJ back on the floor against the Atlanta Dream, and with her return, the strength of the lineup was back. She went on to play 25 straight minutes, grabbing a solid double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds to help New York clinch an 86-81 win.

Following that standout performance, JJ was expected to have a similar impact in the next game against the Phoenix Mercury, who sat third in the league with a 9-4 record and rode a three-game win streak. But just nine minutes into the game, it turned out to be the worst decision to play JJ.

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Jonquel Jones gets injured in a game versus the Mercury

When Jonquel Jones entered Barclays Center, she was expected to bring a veteran presence to the team, and she did, but only for nine minutes. At the 8:35 mark in the second quarter, JJ went up for a layup, and the next moment, she was seen clutching her right leg and crying out in pain.

While it’s still unclear exactly how the injury occurred, as the team has yet to provide an official update, it looks like it happened when JJ landed on Sami Whitcomb’s foot during the layup attempt, which caused her to go down immediately. But, thankfully, a few minutes after the incident, she was able to walk on her own as she made her way to the locker room.

However, she did not return to play and was ruled out for the remainder of the game after contributing two points and four rebounds. Shortly after, the team announced via social media that Jones would be sidelined due to a right ankle injury – the same issue that had kept her out for two games the previous week. Well, that’s bad news, no doubt, but what makes it worse is how crucial she’s been to the Liberty’s success this season.

Well, it’s not just her stat line, averaging 13.4 points and 10.3 rebounds in 24.6 minutes per game, but it’s the undeniable impact her presence has on the team’s performance. Just consider that, with a full roster including JJ, Liberty boasts a staggering 40.17 net rating, 117.95 offensive rating, and a 77.78 defensive rating. But, without her, those numbers drop significantly: a 23.95 net rating, along with a lower offensive rating (112.56) and defensive rating (88.61).

And that tells you all you need to know about JJ’s impact. And with Liberty locked in a tight, back-and-forth game against the Phoenix Mercury, her absence couldn’t have come at a worse time. But, the case is worse than imagination for JJ!

Injury bug just won’t let go of Jonquel Jones in 2025!

The last time similarly scary visuals appeared was earlier in the first quarter of Liberty’s game against the Mystics, when JJ went up for a shot and ended up on the floor. She was soon helped off the court and did not return. Following that, she missed two important games – one of which handed the previously undefeated Liberty their first loss.

While that was already a major blow, it wasn’t the first time JJ was forced to exit due to injury in 2025. Before that incident, she had already missed a game against the Valkyries due to right hamstring soreness, marking her second regular-season absence since 2023.

So, it’s clear how unfortunate this season has been for JJ, especially considering that the last time she experienced visuals like this was back in 2023, just before her trade from the Sun to the Liberty. At that time, she had suffered a significant foot injury that clouded the start of her 2023 season. But ever since she moved to New York, it had been a new chapter for her.

Especially considering that JJ began her rehab journey and, in less than a year, returned at full strength. And, we’ve all seen what she’s capable of: posting the second-highest effective field goal percentage in the league at 61%, along with a career-best 38.1% from beyond the arc last season. So, there’s no doubt why her return to the team will be highly anticipated. But now, the big question remains: Is this injury minor or something more serious?