Jonquel Jones and the New York Liberty held shootaround Tuesday morning before the WNBA Commissioner's Cup championship game.
But instead of going through their pregame routine within the friendly confines of Barclays Center, the Liberty warmed up at UBS Arena, the home of the New York Islanders.
Although the Liberty were several miles from their traditional home field, there were multiple indications throughout the stadium that the Liberty were the designated home team. But Jones was not pleased that the league decided to host the decisive game of the season tournament away from the Liberty field.
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Jonquel Jones of the New York Liberty watches during the game against the Atlanta Dream in the first half on June 23, 2024, at Gateway Center Arena in College Park in Atlanta. (For Griffin/Getty Images)
“To me, it feels like a road game,” the Liberty star said. “Having to pack my [outfit] in a suitcase and all that stuff, get on a bus.” Barclays Center was not available to host Tuesday's game due to a scheduling conflict. The arena is the site of Wednesday's NBA Draft.
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The Liberty decided to stay in the Elmont, New York, area in the hours before Tuesday night's game rather than return to Brooklyn.
Jonquel Jones is interviewed after the New York Liberty won Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on October 15, 2023 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. (Mike Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jones shared her feelings about the situation before shootaround, saying she was “upset” before adding that she was “a little frustrated, especially because the Commissioner's Cup schedule was tough.”
The Liberty gained “home field advantage” after going 5-0 in games designated as Commissioner's Cup matchups.
Jonquel Jones (David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jones said the team pushed to earn the right to play home games.
“We wanted to consolidate that advantage of playing at home and we understood that the game against [the Mystics] “It was big for that,” Jones said. She also noted that she was disappointed that the league did not explore all avenues in an effort to keep the game at Barclays Center.
Jones' teammate and two-time WNBA Most Valuable Player Breanna Stewart also expressed frustration with the circumstances surrounding the title game.
“I think we worked really hard to have home field advantage, and it would be nice if our home court was actually available before we pick a date for the event to take place,” Stewart said.
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Jones was named MVP of the 2023 Commissioner's Cup.
The Minnesota Lynx led Liberty with just over two minutes remaining in the championship game.
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