Can the Liberty Stay Afloat Without Jonquel Jones?

The New York Liberty started this season on fire. With Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Natasha Cloud each playing their role to perfection, the team was thriving.

But then, a wrench was thrown into the reigning champs’ plans: Jonquel Jones went down with an injury.

Jones is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a right ankle sprain, and the impact is already showing just one week into her absence.

Without Jonquel

Before the injury, Jones was averaging 12.1 points and a team-high 9.6 rebounds per game. Without Jones’ 6-foot-11 wingspan to secure game-altering boards, New York has been at a loss. In Jones’ absence, the Liberty have dropped two of their last three games.

Head coach Sandy Brondello said, “It’s unfortunate. [Jones is] going to work really hard, and hopefully, we can get her back earlier, but in the meantime, [reserves Nyara Sabally, Isabelle Harrison, and Kennedy Burke] really just have to step up in her absence.”

Who Can Step In?

Typically, New York could lean on second-year player Leonie Fiebich, but she is currently with the German national team in the EuroBasket Women competition. Fiebich became the first rookie in WNBA history with over five three-pointers made in a finals game, and went 4+ without a miss. She also holds the second-highest three-point percentage by a rookie in league history.

The good news is, Fiebich is expected to be back in New York in the coming days.

While Fiebich and Jones have been out, Brondello has relied on Nyara Sabally and Rebekah Gardner. In New York’s 10-point loss to the Seattle Storm, the duo combined for 20 points and 11 rebounds. Against the Golden State Valkyries, they added 14 points and 7 rebounds.

Does New York Need Jonquel to Win?

The players filling in for Jones have had to combine their efforts to match her nightly production. The Liberty can stay afloat if Breanna Stewart brings her A-game every time she steps on the court, and the rest of the roster helps shoulder Jones’ workload.

Especially with Fiebich’s return on the horizon, the Liberty’s slump could prove temporary.