Just like in the NBA, when a team deals away a superstar, they’re deemed to lose the trade no matter who or what comes back.
And that’s exactly how it was viewed when former MVP Jonquel Jones forced a move from Connecticut to the Liberty this offseason.
But Rebecca Allen — shipped north in that deal — reminded the Liberty she can play.
And the Sun reminded their former star they made the WNBA Finals last season — and took a huge step in getting back there with Sunday’s 78-63 semifinal Game 1 upset win over the Liberty at Barclays Center.
“Got friendships with all of them and I always wish for success for them as well,” Allen said, adding with a laugh, “but I want it more for us.”
And Allen had the last laugh, at least Sunday.
While Jones had a double-double, Allen was as efficient and effective as any player on the floor for either side.
The Liberty saw their former forward come back to haunt them with 18 points and seven rebounds, her plus-23 by far a game-high.
“Look, [Allen] was here. She had a great game. I mean, I’m not happy she had a great game. But she did what she did; she really helped her team,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said. “It wasn’t just scoring, it was her defense. Her length bothered us, her rebounding and cutting. She was a handful for us. So, hopefully, don’t let her play as well next game.”
Allen shot 7-for-9 overall and 4-for-6 from behind the arc.
Her long-armed defense protecting the rim worked as well, blocking a pair of shots and smothering Betnijah Laney.
“There’s no hard feelings in this game … for me, it’s been a blessing,” Allen said.
“That’s what [she’s] been doing all year. She’s a long defender. She’s smart. She’s a vet so she knows how to play defense. So yeah, it’s an advantage having her on our team,” DeWanna Bonner said. “And she can shoot the sh-t out of the ball, so it’s kind of a double whammy.”
Jones won the 2021 WNBA MVP for the Sun, and led them to their second WNBA Finals appearance in four years last season.
But after requesting an offseason trade because she was convinced New York would give her a better chance to get over the hump, that conviction is going to be put to the test.
With the Liberty having been 13-0 when Jones got a double-double, her 14 points and 11 rebounds Sunday should have served them well, but their sloppiness and low-energy play flushed her strong effort.
“Just taking it one game at a time. Obviously, I’ve been there so many times with them on the other side, so it’s a little bit weird to see them on the other side,” Jones said. “But we’ve had enough time to kind of prepare and get ready for it, so when the game came up, it didn’t feel as weird.”