Jonquel Jones' New Hobby: Brewing Coffee During WNBA Playoffs
Jonquel Jones, star center for the New York Liberty, is finding balance on and off the court during the WNBA playoffs. While dominating on the court, Jones has also developed a passion for coffee making, perfecting her brewing skills both at home and on the road.
Jones' On-Court Performance
In Game 1 of the playoffs, Jones' relentless rebounding was crucial to the Liberty's victory. She recorded a game-high 12 rebounds, along with seven points, two assists, and three blocks. This performance marked her 150th postseason offensive rebound, surpassing Tamika Catchings for second all-time in league history. She also joined Breanna Stewart as the only Liberty players with at least 10 playoff games with multiple blocks.
The Coffee-Making Journey
Away from the court, Jones has been documenting her coffee-making journey on Instagram. From carefully weighing beans to grappling with grind sizes, she shared the challenges and triumphs of learning her new craft. She admitted to early struggles, including a mishap with a new espresso machine's steam wand.
“So I did not figure it out,” Jones laughed when asked about her early struggles. “I woke up this morning… I used my new espresso machine. I got a nice little shot, nothing crazy, and then I tried to use the new steam wand. It was my first time using it and milk just flew everywhere, it was all over the place.”
However, she persevered, eventually mastering milk steaming and even creating coffee art. Her proudest creation to date is a Lavender Flat White.
Finding Balance and Managing Stress
For Jones, coffee making is more than just a hobby; it's a way to de-stress during the high-pressure WNBA playoffs. It offers a meditative outlet to take her mind off the intense competition. Sabrina Ionescu even offered Jones some advice on using the coffee machine.
“It’s good to have a new hobby, especially during like, this time of the year where, like, it’s already super stressful,” Jones said. “You know, it’s the playoffs, you just know, like everything else is just more in hand. So, to have something like that to kind of take my mind off of it, it’s a little bit meditative, it’s kind of fun.”
If this routine helps keep Jones calm and focused, it could be a valuable asset for the Liberty in their quest to repeat as WNBA champions.
Breanna Stewart Starts Game 2 Despite Knee Injury
Breanna Stewart, a star player for the New York Liberty, started Game 2 of the first-round WNBA playoff series against the Phoenix Mercury despite a knee injury sustained during Game 1. An MRI revealed an MCL sprain, but Stewart stated she would play as much as her pain tolerance allows.
During Game 1, Stewart crumpled to the floor in overtime, grabbing her left knee. However, she expressed relief that the injury was something she could play through. Her determination is a significant boost for the Liberty as they aim to advance to the semifinals.
"What I felt in the moment scared me more than anything," the two-time WNBA MVP said. "I'm very happy to have gotten my MRI results back and know that it's something I can play through."
WNBA Playoffs Takeaways: Lynx Dominate Valkyries, Cloud Thrives in Liberty OT Win
The opening day of the 2025 WNBA playoffs featured several compelling matchups. The Minnesota Lynx dominated the Golden State Valkyries, and Natasha Cloud delivered a standout performance in the New York Liberty's overtime victory against the Phoenix Mercury.
Liberty Survive Thriller with Cloud's Heroics
Natasha Cloud, traded to the Liberty in the offseason, channeled any lingering hurt from the Mercury trade into a stellar Game 1 performance. She scored 23 points, tying her season-high, and added six rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Her defensive efforts against Kahleah Copper were also crucial. Sandy Brondello, the Liberty coach, praised Cloud's massive contribution on both ends of the floor.
“She made some really timely shots and she controlled the game for us,” Brondello said.
Cloud's performance is particularly vital given Breanna Stewart's uncertain status due to her knee injury. Stewart's injury adds more responsibility on Cloud's shoulders as the series continues in Brooklyn.
Aces' Dominance Continues
The Las Vegas Aces continued their dominant streak, defeating the Seattle Storm and extending their winning streak to 17 games, spanning the regular season and postseason. Their sights are now set on surpassing the longest combined winning streak in WNBA history held by the Los Angeles Sparks.
Lynx's Strong Response After Slow Start
After a shaky first quarter, the Minnesota Lynx rebounded to dominate the Golden State Valkyries. The Lynx's defense stiffened, and their offense came alive, showcasing why they have been one of the league's best teams this season. Napheesa Collier led the way with 20 points.
Dream Neutralize Boston to Take Game 1
The Atlanta Dream secured their first playoff win since 2018 by neutralizing Aliyah Boston of the Indiana Fever. Brionna Jones's physical play limited Boston's effectiveness, disrupting the Fever's offense. The Dream's defensive strategy proved to be the key to victory.