THE VIRAL COMMENT. THE AWARD. AND THE LOSS SHE CARRIED THROUGH ALL OF IT.

All-Star Weekend is always a bit of a whirlwind, and for Jonquel Jones, this year’s All Star was more taxing than usual.

On the court, Jones scored 22 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, made four three-pointers, and handed out eight assists off the bench on the way to her first-ever All-Star Game MVP.

However, there were storm clouds hovering over Jonquel’s All-Star weekend.

During the Studbudz stream, JJ was overheard telling Courtney Williams that she felt the Minnesota Lynx deserved the WNBA championship in 2024 more than the Liberty.

She also said the 2019 Connecticut Sun team they were both on deserved to win more than the eventual champion Washington Mystics, but the 2024 comment was the one that drew criticism from Liberty fans across the internet.

While that was happening, Jones had been living with something more serious.

During her MVP award speech, she revealed she missed a family member’s memorial to compete in the All-Star Game. With all of that on her mind, Jones joined the media in postgame and bared it all.

It’s been a lot for Jones to handle, and on the latest edition of Gotta Get Up, Erica L. Ayala and I went in-depth on Jones’ All Star Weekend as well as a conversation on grief and loss.

It’s been a tough stretch for Jonquel Jones. She’s faced waves of public criticisms while privately managing the loss of a family member.

She’s doing the best she can and this situation serves as a reminder of why it’s important to give grace when we talk about people. You truly never know everything someone is dealing with.

Here’s what you need to know today:

🏀 Meet the Press
Cathy Engelbert takes questions at WNBA All Star.

A much needed break
The All Star break did Natalie Nakase some good.

💰 Money moves
The WNBA closes its investigation into the Las Vegas Aces.

🗓 Upcoming games
What’s on deck to begin the week.

📰 What we’re reading
Some great writing that’s come across our desks.

ENGELBERT ANNOUNCES A REPLAY CENTER — AND REFUSES TO ANSWER THE REAL QUESTION.

The other big story surrounding All-Star weekend was WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Engelbert has come under fire for her lack of communication, controversies that the league has poorly handled, refereeing, and plenty more.

For the first time since the WNBA Draft, Engelbert met with the media. And she had a lot to share.

On Officiating

Engelbert announced that the WNBA will institute a new replay center beginning in 2027.

“This is one of the most significant investments we’ve ever made in our basketball operations,” she said.

“This investment, tens of millions of dollars, will bring greater consistency, efficiency, transparency to our officiating process while continuing to improve the quality of the game.”

There have been a myriad of games this season that have been plagued by foul trouble and a Replay Center is a good first step in improving the officiating.

On Her Job

Engelbert was asked directly if she’ll be the Commissioner at the start of the 2027 season, and after trying to deflect the question by making jokes, here’s how she answered in part:

“I will just continue to do my job, execute the strategy, because it has been working. Make sure we listen to the players, communicate with the players. So absolutely just love this league and blessed to have had the career I had before and the career I have now.”

It should be noted that she didn’t say, “Yes, I will be Commissioner to begin the 2027 season.”

Players Weigh In

All-Stars were asked about Engelbert and if they would like for her to remain in leadership, and most gave non-answers and spoke about building trust and improving communication.

As we wrote in Issue 141 of the Women’s Basketball Roundup:

“The WNBA has made so many gains and is solidly in the mainstream.”

Cathy Engelbert’s job status will remain a story for the foreseeable future. Even as the league continues to grow, she has a lot to work on and fix.

THE VALKYRIES' NINE-GAME WINNING STREAK ENDED. NAKASE'S HONESTY IS WHY THEY'LL BE FINE.

The Golden State Valkyries are back, and coach Natalie Nakase is back after a much needed rest.

The Valkyries saw their franchise record nine game wining streak snapped following a 90-82 defeat to the Washington Mystics on July 20.

The loss was their first defeat in a month as the team has fully established themselves as a WNBA title contender this season.

“I wasn’t at my best because I don’t think I did the proper rest and recovery,” Nakase said. “I have to figure it out.”

The WNBA schedule is expanding. The games last longer and the schedule runs deeper into the Fall.

With more games, the importance of rest and taking yourself becomes even more important.

Hearing Nakase speak about the importance of finding that balance is incredibly relatable and something we all can apply in our lives as well.

THE WNBA CLEARS THE ACES OF CAP CIRCUMVENTION. CASE CLOSED.

A long-standing saga in the WNBA has come to an end.

The Las Vegas Aces have been under investigation for years due to their relationship with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and allegations of circumventing the salary cap.

The issue has lingered for years and even as the Aces’ relationship with the LVCVA ended, questions remained. Now, everyone can breathe a sigh of relief.

“The WNBA has determined that there is insufficient evidence at this time to establish a salary cap circumvention violation, and no discipline will be recommended or imposed,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said.

For the Aces, this investigation should alleviate any pressure they may have felt. Now that they can focus on continuing to win on the court and expand their reach off it, the defending WNBA champions should have a lot more freedom and peace of mind as they work to stay on top of the league.

Here’s the schedule for the next few days

At Black Rosie Media, we love to give flowers to other writers and creators in the women’s basketball community.

Here’s what we’re reading:

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