New York Liberty’s star Jonquel Jones is expected to be out for an extended period due to a sprained ankle. The team confirmed on Saturday that Jones will be sidelined for the next four to six weeks to allow her ankle to heal.

Jones was injured during Thursday’s match against the Phoenix Mercury and did not return to the game. Subsequent examinations revealed that Jones had sprained her right ankle, previously injured in June.

The Liberty stated that this latest injury is the same ankle Jones sprained against the Washington Mystics on June 5, which kept her out for nearly two weeks, playing just two games prior to re-injuring it.

“After further imaging and evaluation, Jonquel avoided long-term injury, and she is projected to return to game action in approximately four to six weeks. Further updates will be provided as necessary,” said the team in a statement.

The 2021 WNBA MVP and a five-time All-Star, Jones has been highly productive on the court, averaging 12.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game across nine appearances this season.

With Jones expected to miss between nine to 15 games, the Liberty’s current 10-2 record gives them a buffer to navigate her absence.