Jones Leaves Game With Ankle Injury
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Talia Taylor
The New York Liberty lost to the Phoenix Mercury 89-81 Thursday at the Barclays Center amidst injuries and roster changes
Fans, including New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson, his wife music entertainer Ciara and their children, were out to support the Liberty for the Juneteenth holiday. According to head coach Sandy Brondello, the Liberty needed vigor from within based on the slow start and after losing one of their most impactful players, Jonquel Jones, to an ankle injury. “It’s really hard when we lose JJ,” said Brondello about Jones, who was out earlier this season with an injury.
Jones appeared to roll her right ankle while attempting a layup when with 8:35 minutes remained in the second quarter. She left the game and did not return to play. “We should’ve been a little more aggressive in that first half and generated some energy,” Brondello added about the loss. “They got energy as they went along with the success that they had.”
New York was ahead 17-15 at the end of the first quarter, but was outscored by Phoenix in the second quarter and trailed 41-38 at halftime.
Before of the game, Brondello shared what she told the Liberty when they were down by 17-points on Tuesday when facing the Atlanta Dream. “Just focus on what we can control right now,” she said. “Let’s be positive and just little changes.”
The Liberty made a comeback in the game and went on to defeat the Atlanta Dream 86-81 with the help of 34-points from Sabrina Ionescu’s in her second consecutive 30+ point game.
The Liberty returned from halftime Thursday to outscore the Mercury 27-23, but fell behind in the fourth quarter as they were outscored 25-16 in the quarter. “The turnovers and the offensive rebounding they hurt us we know that, but no excuses as the way we played,” Brondello said.
The Liberty had 20 total turnovers and the Mercury had 13. Brondello further explained the impact of the game without Jones. “That obviously takes a little bit of energy away from us for a bit,” She said. “That’s normal, but we have to find a way to rebound.”
New York was out-rebounded by Phoenix 42-32 in the game. Nyara Sabally led New York with 7 rebounds and had seven points. Sabally, who is from Germany and plays for the team, discussed her decision not to play this year in FIBA’s Women’s European Basketball Championship ahead of Thursday’s game. She said it was determined by health issues with her knee. “In Germany I have a bigger role than I do have here,” she said. “I would probably be looking to play 35 minutes.”
Liberty teammate Leonie Fiebich, who has started this year, is playing for the German national team. Kennedy Burke replaced Sabally and Fiebich in the starting lineup.
Monique Akoa Makani led the Mercury with 21 points. Breanna Stewart led the Liberty with 35 points. She had 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals. According to @NYL_Stats, Stewart is now tied with A’ja Wilson, for the second most 35-point games in the regular season in WNBA history (12). Diana Taurasi’s has the record with 14. Sabrina Ionescu added 16 points. She had 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals.
The Liberty have the second best record in the WNBA behind the Minnesota Lynx and are now tied with the Mercury with 10 wins. New York goes on the road and will face the Seattle Storm on Sunday.
Recent Comments