In a surprising twist, Jonquel Jones, the standout player for the New York Liberty, revealed her dissatisfaction and irritation with the WNBA’s choice to hold the Commissioner’s Cup Championship Game at the UBS Arena, home of the New York Islanders, rather than their usual home court at the Barclays Center.
The Liberty had a practice session on Tuesday morning before the championship game, but had to do it at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, several miles away from their usual home turf. Although the arena was filled with signs that indicated the Liberty were the official home team, Jones was still clearly unhappy about the situation.
Jones expressed that, in his opinion, it seems like playing a game away from home. Being required to put my [clothes] in a bag and gather everything, then board a bus. Tuesday’s game could not be held at the Barclays Center because of a scheduling conflict with the NBA Draft scheduled for Wednesday.
WNBA star Jonquel Jones ‘annoyed’ by league’s Commissioner’s Cup venue choice: ‘Feels like a road game’ https://t.co/NY35mj95xa #FoxNews
— Anna Gaudreault (@ladevita12) June 26, 2024
The Liberty secured the advantage of playing at home by winning all five games designated as Commissioner’s Cup matchups. Jones stressed that the team had put in a lot of effort to deserve this opportunity, and he was upset that the league did not consider every possible option to keep the game at Barclays Center.
Jones stated that they wanted to solidify their advantage of playing at home, and recognized the importance of the game against [the Mystics] for that reason. Her frustration with the league’s decision-making process was also voiced by her.
Breanna Stewart, who is a two-time WNBA MVP and teammate of Jones, also expressed her feelings, mentioning that she wished their home court had been accessible before the event date was chosen.
Stewart said he believed they had put in a lot of effort to secure home-court advantage, and it would be preferable if the venue was confirmed before scheduling the event.
Jones herself has had a remarkable season, earning the title of MVP for the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup. Nevertheless, her personal achievements were not enough to boost her morale regarding the circumstances. The Minnesota Lynx secured victory in the championship game with slightly more than two minutes left.
The Commissioner’s Cup in the WNBA this season has been a fiercely contested tournament, as teams compete for both bragging rights and important experience. Nevertheless, Jonquel Jones’ statements raise doubts about whether playing games at a neutral venue can really offer a fair competition for every team.
As the league deals with conflicting schedules and logistical issues, players such as Jones are expressing their frustrations. Could this event result in modifications to the way upcoming Commissioner’s Cup games are managed? The outcome will only be revealed with time.