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From the very start of this series, it was abundantly clear that the New York Liberty’s advantage was their size.
Going up against the league’s best defense in the Minnesota Lynx, it felt like nobody on the Liberty could make a shot for most of this series. However, Jonquel Jones was able to provide New York with key baskets when the flow of their offense was disturbed.
Perhaps no moment best defines this statement more that New York’s first points of Game 5. After going almost four minutes without scoring, it felt like New York was tense and feeling the pressure, so having a safety valve like Jones to throw the ball into and generate efficient post offense was the secret to ultimately staying poised and weathering the storm.
The importance of JJ’s offensive rebounding
One of the most critical aspects of Jones’ game was her impact on the rebounding differential. Minnesota entered the series with a reputation for defensive versatility, yet vulnerable to size and physicality. New York would finish the series with more than twice as many offensive rebounds as Minnesota, which, in a series this closely contested, was the difference between winning and losing multiple games. Jones consistently tipped the scales in New York’s favor on the boards.
With neither team was able to generate a ton of offense, these extra possessions were crucial. Minnesota was switching for most of this series on defense, which meant the rebounding opportunities were there if a smaller guard ended up on Jones, which is exactly what happened in the final seconds of regulation in Game 5, where Jones gave New York another offensive possession by fighting three Lynx players to force a jump ball after Breanna Stewart’s missed free throw.
Jones’ big 3 in Game 3
Another significant part of Jones’ MVP performance was her timely 3-point shooting. While primarily known for her size, Jones’s ability to stretch the floor with her range is what makes her unique at the center position, and in the Finals, she hit one of the biggest shots of the series that may have been forgotten.
Prior to Sabrina Ionescu’s game-winner in Game 3, the Lynx took a four-point lead with two minutes to go. It was Jones’ huge 3 that kept the Liberty within striking distance, but also took the heart of the Lynx just as they felt like they have taken the momentum and secured a Game 3 win in front of their home crowd.
Throughout the series, when Minnesota was in rotation or overwhelmed on dribble penetration, Jones calmly stepped out to the perimeter and punished them with huge 3s. This forced Minnesota’s defenders, especially their bigs, into uncomfortable positions, opening up driving lanes for her teammates.
JJ’s top-notch defense
While Jones’ offensive contributions were vital, her defense in space, particularly in pick-and-roll situations, might have been the biggest reason she won Finals MVP. Minnesota’s offense, led by Courtney Williams and Napheesa Collier, thrived on creating mismatches in the pick-and-roll. But Jones, despite her size, was able to defend out in space.
After Game 1, New York was switching most pick-and-rolls. Jones’ ability to switch onto Williams and contain her in space was a huge reason why Williams and Minnesota struggled to find offensive rhythm throughout the series. Every time Minnesota tried to exploit her in the pick-and-roll, thinking they could pull her away from the basket and attack her off the dribble, Jones showed that she was more than capable of handling those matchups.
Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello used her in almost every scheme imaginable, whether to hedge, switch, trap or play drop coverage. Her presence deterred Minnesota from getting good looks at the rim, and when they did, Jones’ ability to recover or contest shots at the rim proved invaluable.
Jonquel was the difference maker
Jones’ performance in the 2024 WNBA Finals was a testament to her all-around game. New York may have had the size advantage going into the series, but Jones was truly the difference maker on both ends, helping New York prevail in what will be remembered as the greatest WNBA Finals matchup ever.