WNBA star Jonquel Jones 'annoyed' by league's Commissioner's Cup venue choice: 'Feels like a road game'

Championship game played at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York

Why Caitlin Clark is 'greatest player for business in WNBA history' | The Herd

Sportico published the recent WNBA team valuations and the Indiana Fever are ranked the sixth most valuable franchise at $90 million. Colin Cowherd explains how this demonstrates Caitlin Clark is "the greatest player for business in the history of" WNBA.

Jonquel Jones and the New York Liberty went through a shootaround on Tuesday morning ahead of the WNBA's Commissioner's Cup Championship Game. 

But instead of going through the pregame routine inside the friendly confines of the Barclays Center, the Liberty warmed up at UBS Arena, the home of the New York Islanders. 

While the Liberty were several miles from their traditional home court, there were multiple indications throughout the arena that the Liberty were the designated home team. But Jones was not pleased that the league decided to host the deciding game of the in-season tournament away from the Liberty's home turf.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Jonquel Jones looks on during a game

Jonquel Jones of the New York Liberty looks on during the game against the Atlanta Dream in the first half on June 23, 2024, at Gateway Center Arena at College Park in Atlanta. (Paras 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." The 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.

CAITLIN CLARK, ANGEL REESE REMATCH DRAWS ATTENDANCE NUMBERS NOT SEEN IN OVER 2 DECADES

The Liberty elected to stay in the Elmont, New York, area in the hours leading up to Tuesday night's game instead of commuting back to Brooklyn.

Jonquel Jones interviews

Jonquel Jones is interviewed after the New York Liberty won Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on Oct. 15, 2023, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York City. (Mike Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images)

Jones shared her feelings about the situation ahead of the shootaround, saying she was "annoyed" before adding that she was "a little bit frustrated, especially because the Commissioner’s Cup schedule was tough."

The Liberty earned "home-court advantage" after going 5-0 in games that were designated as Commissioner's Cup matchups. 

Jonquel Jones smiles on court

Jonquel Jones (David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

Jones said the team pushed to earn the right to play home games.

"We wanted to cement that home-court advantage, and we understood that the game against [the Mystics] was big because of that," Jones said. She also noted that she was disappointed the league did not explore all avenues in an effort to keep the game at Barclays Center.

Jones' teammate and two-time WNBA MVP, Breanna Stewart, also voiced frustration with the circumstances surrounding the title game.

"I think we worked really hard for home-court advantage, and it would be nice if our home court was actually available before we choose the date that the event was going to be," Stewart said.

Jones was named the MVP of the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup. 

The Minnesota Lynx led the Liberty with just over two minutes remaining in the championship game.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

Authored by Chantz Martin via FoxNews June 25th 2024