Jonquel Jones and the New York Liberty prepared for the WNBA’s Commissioner’s Cup Championship Game with a shootaround at UBS Arena, the home of the New York Islanders. Despite being designated as the home team, Jones expressed frustration at having to play the deciding game away from their traditional home court at the Barclays Center due to a scheduling conflict with the NBA Draft. The team stayed in the Elmont, New York area instead of commuting back to Brooklyn, with Jones sharing her annoyance and disappointment at not being able to play at their actual home court and feeling like the game was more of a road game.
The Liberty earned “home-court advantage” after going undefeated in Commissioner’s Cup matchups, with Jones emphasizing the importance of securing that advantage and being disappointed that the league did not make more effort to keep the game at Barclays Center. Despite the circumstances, Jones was named the MVP of the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup. In the championship game against the Minnesota Lynx, the Liberty trailed with just over two minutes remaining, with two-time WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart also expressing frustration at not being able to play on their actual home court after working hard to earn the advantage.
The decision to hold the Commissioner’s Cup Championship Game away from the Liberty’s home turf led to feelings of frustration and annoyance among the team, with Jones and Stewart vocalizing their disappointment with the situation. The team had worked hard to secure home-court advantage by winning all their Commissioner’s Cup matchups, and not being able to play at their traditional home court was seen as a setback. Despite the challenges, Jones was named the MVP of the tournament, underscoring her exceptional performance and leadership throughout the season.
The circumstances surrounding the Commissioner’s Cup Championship Game, including the venue change and the Liberty’s feelings of playing a road game despite being the designated home team, brought about frustration and annoyance among the players. Jones and Stewart, key members of the team, expressed their disappointment at not being able to play on their home court after earning the advantage through their performance in the tournament. The decision to hold the game at UBS Arena instead of Barclays Center due to a scheduling conflict with the NBA Draft added an additional layer of complexity to the situation.
The Liberty’s shootaround at UBS Arena ahead of the Commissioner’s Cup Championship Game highlighted the team’s efforts to prepare for the important matchup despite the challenges of playing away from their traditional home court. Jones, the MVP of the tournament, and Stewart voiced their frustration with the circumstances, emphasizing the significance of earning home-court advantage and their disappointment at not being able to play at Barclays Center. Despite the obstacles, the team remained focused on giving their best performance in the championship game against the Minnesota Lynx.
The clash between the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx in the Commissioner’s Cup Championship Game showcased a competitive matchup, with the Liberty trailing in the final minutes despite their efforts to secure home-court advantage throughout the tournament. Jones’ MVP performance and leadership on the court throughout the season were recognized, underscoring her importance to the team. Despite the challenges of playing away from their traditional home court, the Liberty remained resilient and focused on putting forth their best effort in the championship game, demonstrating their commitment to excellence and determination in the face of adversity.