The New York Liberty are getting back center Jonquel Jones — hopefully for good this time.
Jones is off the injury report for Tuesday’s game against the Indiana Fever, who will be without star point guard Caitlin Clark. While Jones’ right ankle is back to full strength, Clark is still sidelined with a groin injury.
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Jones first suffered her ankle sprain on June 5 versus the Washington Mystics. The five-time WNBA All-Star and reigning WNBA Finals MVP rolled her ankle on the foot of Mystics rookie Kiki Iriafen after jumping for a bank shot in the paint. The Liberty medical staff had to help the 6-foot-6 Jones off the floor.
After nearly two weeks, she returned to the lineup, only to go down again in her second game back. On June 19 against the Phoenix Mercury, an awkward landing had Jones grabbing at her right leg. Back to the locker room she went.
The following weekend, the Liberty announced that Jones had “avoided a long-term injury” but would miss the next 4-6 weeks with the ankle sprain she aggravated.
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New York, which started the season 9-0, is 8-1 with Jones on the floor this season. Without her, the Liberty are 7-5.
Jones, also the 2021 league MVP, is averaging 12.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.5% from the field, including 43.8% from 3. She’s recorded six double-doubles in her nine appearances this season.
Jones will give the Liberty frontcourt a boost. Eventually, so will Emma Meesseman, a Belgium forward who reportedly will make her team debut after she completes the visa application process. Meesseman last played in the WNBA in 2022 with the Chicago Sky. Before that, the three-time defending Euroleague MVP spent seven seasons with the Mystics, whom she helped win the 2019 WNBA title while earning WNBA Finals MVP honors.
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Standing 6-foot-4, Meesseman will give New York even more size.
The Liberty’s 15 wins are tied for the second most in the W right now. With Jones back, New York is poised to return to its early-season dominance.
