Will New York Liberty star Jonquel Jones’ WNBA Finals dominance lead to a title?

NEW YORK — Jonquel Jones was the last of the New York Liberty’s five starters to approach the sideline with just over a minute to play in the fourth quarter. As she walked toward coach Sandy Brondello, she applauded the sellout crowd of 17,143, returning the favor to those at Barclays Center who waved their white rally towels in delight throughout Game 3. Jones shared a brief hug with Brondello, then exchanged high-fives with the Liberty’s assistants while making her way down the sideline. On the baseline, Jones shared an embrace with guards Courtney Vandersloot and Betnijah Laney. Her night had finished. She scored a team-high 27 points, on 10-of-15 shooting from the field.

Watching it all happen, in Barclays Center’s lower bowl, was Yolett McPhee-McCuin. McPhee-McCuin, a Bahamian who is trying to create a coaching blueprint, is now the head coach for Ole Miss. But to Jones, who also grew up in the Bahamas, McPhee-McCuin isn’t only a collegiate coach. “Coach Yo is family,” Jones said. “I knew Coach Yo from before I was ever here.”

Here is the bowels of Barclays Center, walking down a hallway just minutes removed from an effort Jones describes as one of the best in her career. It is after Game 3 of the 2023 WNBA Finals. It’s with a new team, in a new city,…