Kelsey Plum’s comments stung Jonquel Jones at first.
In the immediate aftermath of the Liberty’s WNBA Finals loss to the Aces last October, Plum remarked inside Barclays Center that while the Liberty were “a team, they’re not a team.” She claimed that although they had strong individual players, they “don’t care about each other.” Plum later clarified that her comments were taken out of context, emphasizing that building a superteam takes time.
Reflecting on Plum’s comments, Jones initially called them “classless” during her exit interview, criticizing the Aces star for disparaging the Liberty instead of celebrating their second straight title. However, eight months later, ahead of the first Liberty-Aces showdown of 2024 at Michelob ULTRA Arena, Jones acknowledged that there was some truth to Plum’s statements.
“The Liberty didn’t possess the same cohesion that has ignited their 11-2 start — one win shy of matching their franchise-best — in 2024,” Jones admitted. She noted that the heartbreak of their failed title dreams still lingers and may never fully fade. The lack of connectivity and time together on the court that plagued the Liberty last year has diminished as one of the WNBA’s budding rivalries renews.
“[Plum] definitely gave a different perspective,” Jones said. “I saw it when I went back and watched the game. It felt like we were all trying to do it separately, just trying to get one win versus coming together as a team.”
The Liberty have benefitted from returning the same starting lineup and assembling a bench that continues to carve out roles. They’ve managed to win their past three games even without starting point guard Courtney Vandersloot.
“We’re not perfect,” Jones added, “but we’re definitely leaps and bounds ahead of what we were last year.”
The Aces remain the ultimate benchmark, having snapped their first three-game losing streak since 2019 on Thursday. Their title-winning roster, nearly intact, includes early MVP candidate A’ja Wilson. Even if the Liberty contain Wilson, secondary scoring options like Plum and Jackie Young pose significant threats.
Assistant coach Olaf Lange highlighted that the Liberty failed to execute defensive rotations in the Finals to counter the Aces’ depth. This depth and star-studded lineup have fueled one of the WNBA’s most exciting rivalries.
The Liberty and Aces clashed four times in August and another four times two months later, each securing significant victories. The Liberty captured the Commissioner’s Cup by 19 points, while the Aces clinched their second consecutive championship. These matchups have set ratings records and showcased the league’s growth, even before the arrival of standout rookies like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink.
Rivalries like Liberty-Aces are crucial for the WNBA, said Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello. Jones added that increasing parity in the league, as seen when the 0-12 Mystics led the Liberty in the fourth quarter last Sunday, doesn’t diminish these key matchups but enhances the league’s appeal.
The Aces were the obstacle that thwarted the Liberty’s storybook ending last year. They were the defense that made the final stop in Game 4, leading to Plum’s comments and Breanna Stewart’s lingering regret over a missed jumper.
“This year’s different,” Stewart said. “It’s a new year. You gotta turn the page from what happened last year.”
As the Liberty and Aces prepare to face off again, the next chapter of this thrilling rivalry begins.
