Liberty need Jonquel Jones to repeat her past playoff dominance

PHOENIX — Jonquel Jones moves differently in the playoffs.

The fun-loving, calm Bahamian’s energy intensifies. The heaviness of the moment doesn’t weigh her down but rather makes her stronger in the same way pressure creates diamonds.

The Liberty are the most experienced postseason team, combining for 252 playoff games. But no New York player has made more playoff appearances than Jones.

She’s experienced heartbreak and joy.

It previously had been an all-too-familiar feeling for Jones of having a disappointing end to a season stew for six months until a new WNBA campaign.

That feeling of leaving something on the table, of unfinished business, motivated her for years.

It’s why Jones came to New York before the 2023 season. She wanted to win the one thing she chased but never caught up to that point in her career: a WNBA championship.

This past year, she savored the sweetness of her greatness, stringing together a memorable 11-game run en route to delivering New York its first professional basketball title in more than five decades.

She rightfully earned her crown as the 2024 Finals MVP after averaging 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 56.1 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from behind the arc during the series against the Lynx.

She also sank all 19 of her free throws.

With the playoffs beginning Sunday, the onus is on Jones to unlock the slumbering savage that is Playoff J.J.

Jones is one of the most important players in the Liberty’s first-round series against the Mercury. She’s expected to carry the burden of being former teammate Alyssa Thomas’ primary defender.

But if there’s anyone who can manage the threat that Thomas presents opponents, it’s an engaged Jones.

She has a history of upping the ante once the postseason begins.

She produces more points, rebounds, assists and blocks on average in the postseason than the regular season. Her efficiency improves, too.

The Liberty need Jones to be at her best to make the deep playoff run they hope to have.

As it’s been well-documented up to this point, the Liberty had a rough regular season. Injuries complicated the rotation and complacency reared its ugly head far too often.

Jones sprained her right ankle twice and missed a month of action, which halted her real chance at her sixth All-Star selection.

Jones finished the season averaging 13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 blocked shots per game. She drained a career-best 1.7 treys per game while converting at a 42.4 percent clip.

Similar to the rest of the team, Jones hasn’t been consistently her great self as of late. But the playoffs are a totally different situation.

This might be the clean slate she needs to bring out her best.

In the end, the Liberty know what they’re going to get out of Jones. And truthfully, they just want her to be J.J. Be that force down low, collect rebounds like they’re currency, remain committed on defense and be who she is.

Jones could be the key to unlocking the Liberty’s best play yet.