Jonquel Jones captures WNBA All-Star Game MVP with dominant double-double originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Jonquel Jones added another major trophy to her remarkable resume Saturday night.
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The New York Liberty superstar was named MVP of the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game after powering Team Spoon to a 129-122 victory over Team Coop at the United Center in Chicago.
Jones finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in only 22 minutes off the bench. She shot 8-of-17 from the field, made four 3-pointers and finished with a plus-nine rating.
Those are incredible numbers for anyone. For a 6-foot-6 center competing alongside the best players in the world, they were another reminder that Jones remains one of the WNBA’s most uniquely gifted stars.
Jonquel Jones dominates loaded All-Star field
Jones entered the game surrounded by some of the biggest names in women’s basketball. Team Spoon featured Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, Olivia Miles, Nneka Ogwumike and Allisha Gray. Team Coop countered with Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Mitchell and Marina Mabrey.
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Jones still found a way to separate herself. She controlled the glass, created shots for her teammates and stretched Team Coop’s defense beyond the 3-point line. Her eight assists tied for the most on Team Spoon, while her 13 rebounds led the team.
Allisha Gray added 19 points and five 3-pointers for Team Spoon, but Jones’ complete performance made her the deserving MVP choice.
Olivia Miles nearly makes history
Jones was not the only Team Spoon player who stuffed the box score. Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles delivered one of the most impressive performances of the night, finishing with 11 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.
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Miles fell only two assists short of a triple-double while shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from the field. She also recorded two steals and committed only one turnover in 23 minutes. The young guard looked completely comfortable on the All-Star stage. She pushed the pace, created easy scoring opportunities and competed for rebounds against much bigger players.
Miles and Jones combined for 25 rebounds and 16 assists, giving Team Spoon two versatile playmakers capable of controlling the game in different ways.
Kelsey Mitchell catches fire for Team Coop
Kelsey Mitchell did everything possible to keep Team Coop within striking distance.
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The Indiana Fever star led all scorers with 28 points, shooting 11-of-19 from the field and 5-of-11 from beyond the arc. She also recorded five steals in an electric 22-minute performance.
Mitchell provided an important spark as Team Coop attempted to overcome a 17-point halftime deficit. Marina Mabrey added 23 points and five 3-pointers, while Gabby Williams scored 18. Team Coop’s fourth-quarter push made the final minutes interesting, but Team Spoon’s enormous 46-point second quarter ultimately proved too much to overcome.
MORE: Angel Reese demands credit after taking over WNBA All-Star photo shoot
Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers deliver for fans
The showcase also gave fans an opportunity to watch Clark and Bueckers on opposite sides. Clark scored 17 points and made five 3-pointers for Team Spoon. The Fever guard also contributed five assists, four rebounds and one steal in her third consecutive All-Star appearance.
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Bueckers finished with 12 points and seven assists for Team Coop. She made five of her 11 shots and committed only one turnover while directing an offense loaded with elite scorers.
Neither guard claimed MVP, but both contributed to one of the most anticipated All-Star Games in league history.
In the end, however, Jones owned the night.
The 2021 WNBA MVP and 2024 Finals MVP now has another piece of hardware. Jones needed only 22 minutes to deliver 22 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists against the most talented players in the world.
WNBA MVP. Champion. Finals MVP. And now, WNBA All-Star Game MVP.
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Jonquel Jones has done it all.
