The Indiana Fever are heading back to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn with a tough task ahead: facing a fully loaded New York Liberty squad. Unlike their last meeting, the defending WNBA champions are now equipped with their full arsenal of talent, including the return of their dominant forward Jonquel Jones. Her comeback significantly alters the dynamic of the upcoming clash, presenting the Fever with a far more daunting challenge than they previously encountered.
For those familiar with the Liberty’s structure and style of play, the impact of Jones cannot be overstated. Her presence alone demands a shift in strategy, and the Fever’s coaching staff is acutely aware of that. Head coach Stephanie White openly acknowledged how Jones’ return necessitates changes in preparation, stating that her skill set and size change the entire game plan. Whether it’s her inside presence or her capacity to stretch the floor with her shooting, Jones demands attention on both ends of the court. As White noted, her ability to “pick and pop” from the perimeter forces defenses to adapt in ways they wouldn’t normally need to.
On the defensive side of the ball, Jones adds to the Liberty’s already impressive physical profile. Their team is known for being athletic and long-limbed, but Jones brings additional height, strength, and intensity that helps elevate the unit even further. For Fever forward Aliyah Boston (referred to as “AB” by White), this means dealing with even more physicality in the paint.
Jonquel Jones: A Central Piece of the Liberty’s Puzzle
The New York Liberty came into the 2025 WNBA season with sky-high expectations. As reigning champions, they were immediately the team to beat, and they looked like they were up to the task in the early weeks of competition. That momentum was only interrupted when the Indiana Fever handed them their first defeat of the season. The loss was notable not only because of who it came against — a team that’s still finding its rhythm — but also because of when it occurred.
Since that loss in June, the Liberty have stumbled slightly, racking up five total defeats so far this season. A significant portion of those came during the stretch when Jonquel Jones was unavailable due to a right ankle injury. She had been having a standout season prior to the injury, contributing meaningfully on both ends of the court. Her average stat line — 12.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game — underscores how essential she is to New York’s system.
When she went down with the injury, early medical evaluations were thankful to rule out more serious damage, such as ligament tears. However, the Liberty’s training staff still projected that she could miss as many as six weeks of action. Her absence was immediately felt. Without her, the Liberty’s frontcourt lost much of its rebounding prowess, rim protection, and versatility. And despite the team’s depth, there was no clear way to replace what she brings to the table. Her scoring efficiency, rebounding tenacity, and defensive rotations are difficult to duplicate, even with All-Star talent scattered across the roster.
The Fever-Liberty Series Is Even — For Now
As the Fever prepare for their next showdown against New York, the stakes are high. These two teams have split their previous two matchups this season, with each team taking one win. That makes Tuesday’s meeting the tiebreaker in their three-game regular season series — and it comes at a crucial juncture in the season.
Currently, the Fever sit at a modest 12-11 record, putting them in sixth place in the league standings. For a young and rebuilding squad, that’s a respectable position, but they’re also just a few games above teams that are fighting for the last playoff spots. A win against a powerhouse like New York would be a significant morale booster and a critical résumé-building victory, especially with rising star Caitlin Clark sidelined due to her fourth injury of the year.
Clark’s absence cannot be downplayed. She has become a centerpiece of the Fever’s offense and a marketing face for the league. Her on-court vision, shooting, and competitive drive are unmatched among rookies, and losing her again puts more pressure on players like Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, and NaLyssa Smith to carry the load.
Meanwhile, the Liberty are cruising near the top of the standings. At 15-6, they are second only to the Minnesota Lynx, while holding a slight edge over the Mercury. Despite the losses incurred during Jones’ injury, they’ve remained among the league’s elite — and now with her return, they look even more dangerous.
A win for New York would send a powerful message to the rest of the WNBA: the champions are back at full strength, and they intend to defend their title with relentless intensity. Historically, repeating as champions in the WNBA is no easy feat. Teams often face a championship hangover or find themselves targeted by every opponent on the schedule. But with their full rotation back on the court, including Jones, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, the Liberty have the personnel to do it.
What Makes Jonquel Jones So Dangerous?
It’s worth pausing to reflect on what makes Jonquel Jones such a unique threat on the basketball court. At 6-foot-6, she has the size of a traditional center but the skill set of a wing. She’s agile and fluid in her movements, with a soft shooting touch from mid-range and beyond the arc. On offense, she operates equally well in the low post or as a stretch four or five, dragging slower defenders away from the rim and punishing them with outside shooting.
Her basketball IQ is also elite. She reads defenses well, understands spacing, and consistently makes the right pass when double-teamed. Her unselfishness complements her scoring instincts and makes her a seamless fit within the Liberty’s pass-heavy offense.
Defensively, she’s a game-changer. Her rebounding instincts are sharp, often grabbing boards in traffic or tipping the ball to teammates. She also excels at help defense, rotating quickly to contest shots or snuff out drives. Her ability to alter shots without fouling is invaluable in a league where quick guards and powerful forwards dominate the paint.
In short, Jonquel Jones is not just a star — she’s a two-way cornerstone who elevates everyone around her.
Pressure on Indiana to Step Up
If the Indiana Fever hope to leave Brooklyn with a win, they’ll need nearly everything to go right. That starts with defense. Without Clark available to lead the offense, the Fever must grind out points through half-court sets, which means limiting transition opportunities for New York.
Mitchell, Smith, and Boston must step up in big ways. Mitchell’s shooting will be key, especially if the Liberty pack the paint to slow down Boston. NaLyssa Smith, meanwhile, can be a matchup problem with her quickness and mobility, but she’ll need to be efficient and careful with fouls. Boston will be the anchor, both offensively and defensively, and her ability to handle the physical matchup against Jones will be crucial.
Indiana’s bench will also need to produce. Role players like Erica Wheeler and Kristy Wallace must find ways to contribute both scoring and energy. The team has shown resilience throughout the season — they’ve clawed their way into playoff contention despite inconsistent play and injury setbacks — but this matchup will be one of their biggest tests yet.
The Bigger Picture
Beyond Tuesday night’s game, the return of Jonquel Jones signals a turning point in the Liberty’s season. Her absence forced the team to adjust rotations, change defensive assignments, and ask more from players like Stefanie Dolson and Kayla Thornton. While those players performed admirably, there’s no substitute for an All-Star-caliber forward in peak condition.
For the Liberty, the focus now shifts toward fine-tuning for the postseason. With the standings so tight at the top, every game matters for seeding. And for a franchise that’s built to win now, expectations are championship or bust.
For the Fever, each game is a chance to prove they belong among the league’s best. The Clark injury may limit their short-term ceiling, but the long-term potential of this roster is undeniable. A win against the Liberty would not only break the season tie, but serve as a statement that Indiana is on the rise — and may be ahead of schedule in their rebuild.
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