It’s been less than a year since the New York Liberty suffered a devastating 3-1 loss to the Las Vegas Aces in the Finals. The wounds are still fresh for Breanna Stewart & Co. Now, they’ve got a shot at redemption with the semi-final series tipping off at their home court against the same opponents this Sunday. While all eyes are on stars like Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu to step up, WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes thinks a different player might just be the game-changer this time around.

In her latest podcast episode, WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes teamed up with Jordan Robinson to explore the possibilities and expectations surrounding the upcoming semi-final matchups. When Robinson posed a question about the win-or-lose scenario for the Liberty, Swoopes offered an intriguing perspective that stated that New York’s chances of advancing hinge on Center Jonquel Jones stepping up and delivering a ‘dominant’ performance.

While the 4x WNBA champion kicked off the conversation by acknowledging that the performances of Stewie and Sab will be vital, she added a twist, stating, “I think Jonquel Jones could be the difference-maker in this series.” Jones showcased her skills in the first round against Atlanta, racking up 29 points and becoming the fourth-leading scorer for the team. Well, Swoopes’ choice wasn’t just a shot in the dark as she went on to explain why she sees Jones as the crucial X factor in the upcoming matchups.

“I don’t know who Vegas has that can defend her. A’ja is going to be matched up with Stewie. And there will be times when A’ja will guard Jonquel because AC (Alysha Clark) comes in and she will guard Stewie some. And to me, that’s a bad match up from the standpoint,” Swoopes broke it down further on the podcast. 

She also pointed out the potential danger for the Aces, adding, “If Jonquel gets on the block and goes to work on the block, she could possibly get A’ja in foul trouble.” It’s a clear threat for the Aces, as no team wants to risk having their Unanimous MVP’s playing time jeopardized by foul issues. But beyond the technical aspects, the real question is: do Jonquel Jones’ past performances against the Aces back up Swoopes’ statement?

Does Sheryl Swoopes’ predictions mirror Jonquel Jones’ statistics?

The Liberty enter the semi-finals with an impressive regular season record of 3-0 against the Aces, which gives them a strong edge as they face off again. While those wins were a result of solid teamwork, particularly in rebounding, yet, if there’s one player who has consistently shined in these matchups, it’s Jonquel Jones. She has surprisingly emerged as the Liberty’s leading scorer against the Aces this season.

The 30-year-old forward who averaged 14.2 points per game during the regular season, has been a standout against A’ja Wilson’s squad. Jones racked up 59 points across their matchups, including a jaw-dropping 34-point performance in their first meeting of the year. That brings her average to an impressive 19.7 points per game against the defending champions—well ahead of Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, who posted 53 and 52 points, respectively, against the Aces during the regular season.

Moreover, her impact on Becky Hammon’s team goes beyond just this season. In fact, if there was one player who truly stood out in last year’s Finals—at least until Game 3—it was Jones. She emerged as the Liberty’s top scorer in both Game 2 and Game 3, finishing the series with an impressive total of 71 points against the Las Vegas franchise. This stellar performance boosted her average to 17.4 points per game, a significant leap from her regular season average of just 11.3.

All these impressive stats back up Swoopes’ predictions about the upcoming semi-final matchup at Barclays Center tipping off on September 29. As she anticipates a thrilling series that could stretch to all five games, it will be fascinating to see how Jonquel Jones’ performance plays a crucial role in helping the Liberty seek their revenge against the Aces.