Liberty felt Jonquel Jones' absence in key area in win over Valkyries

The Liberty’s 82-77 win over the Valkyries on Thursday put a spotlight on the importance of Jonquel Jones.

Jones, the Liberty’s iron woman, was sidelined for the victory for just her second regular-season game since 2023 after soreness in her right hamstring flared up Thursday morning.

Coach Sandy Brondello said Jones is “fine,” though the 2024 Finals MVP was ruled out for the game out of an abundance of caution.

“Never want players to play if they’re not 100 percent right,” Brondello said before the game. “So hopefully, they’ll be OK tomorrow — got another game.”

The Liberty averaged the second-most paint points per game (40.5) through their first four games, while the Valkyries rank last in that category with 24 paint points per game.

On Thursday, though, the Liberty struggled to get into the paint and were outscored in that area 30-18.

“[Jones makes] a huge difference, especially from the rebounding perspective, protecting our rim, and then obviously, she’s at least 10 to 20 points on the board for us,” Natasha Cloud said

after the win. “So when you lose your 5 and someone as versatile as JJ — someone that can bring the ball up, shoot 3, trail 3s, play in pick-and-roll, get to the paint, shoot middie — you’re

losing a lot.”

It didn’t help that New York’s center depth already was thin with Nyara Sabally out for her third consecutive game because of right knee discomfort.

Brondello said Sabally had an individual workout Thursday and has been shooting.

The third-year center could be back as soon as Friday’s game in Washington, according to Brondello.

“I’m not a doctor but the doctor says everything’s fine there and just making sure Nyara is feeling good about it, that’s the most important thing and not bringing her back too soon,”

Brondello said. “She’s getting there. … And hopefully on the flight, nothing goes crazy, and we’re hopeful she’ll go tomorrow.”

Thursday was the second of four games the Liberty are scheduled to play in six days.

The Liberty are set to complete their first of two back-to-backs Friday when they play in Washington.

Then, they’ll turn around and host the Sun at Barclays Center on Sunday.

Brondello said she’s been “mindful” to not overload her team, knowing that there’s still a long season ahead.

“We’re building up our conditioning the start of the year,” Brondello said. “Look, we need to win. We want to win. We don’t want to lose a game that we know we’re capable of winning. But

hopefully, I don’t have to go too long of minutes with all of them.”