Atlanta Dream center Brionna Jones was listed as “questionable” for the first time this season ahead of the team’s Monday night game against the Los Angeles Sparks. This status indicated that she was eligible to play after being sidelined for the entirety of the first half of the 2026 WNBA season because of a right knee injury.
Though Jones didn’t play in Monday’s matchup, she participated in media availability ahead of the game to discuss her progress toward getting back on the court.
The same energy from fans online—begging for Jones’ return to the frontcourt—hasn’t gone unnoticed by Jones, who’s ready to finally answer that question. Here’s how she put it:
Everywhere I go, people ask me, “When are you coming back, when are you coming back?” So, I definitely feel it. And I definitely want to get out there and be able to help this team the best way I can.
Jones touched on how she’s sought to contribute to the team despite not being on the court: being vocal, sharing her experience and giving advice wherever she could. A few of areas of improvement she’s recognized for the Dream include capitalizing on spacing and limiting turnovers that have cost the team during difficult stretches.
Jones elaborated:
I think it’s just little things that I see from my vantage point on the bench. I know it’s different because it feels different when you’re on the court. Because I remember last season there were things like, “I’m in the right spot,” and then I go to the bench and they’re like, “Actually, you’re not.” So I think it’s just being able to see that from a different perspective this year.
And with this new perspective, Jones explained that she’s learned how powerful her voice is for her teammates, all while also discovering things about herself as a leader off the court. She explained:
Even though I’m not playing, I still make sure I can be a part of the team from the sideline and give my perspective that way. Being in practice, being able to share different things that I’m seeing in practice and things like that.
I think just once I started getting back on the court, just reminding myself of who I am as a player and just being able to get back to that. And I think that’s something that I’ve had to remind myself a little bit, just as I was getting started. But also giving myself grace. I’m not going to be back to All-Star level just right away once I get back out there.
So, how close is Jones to returning? According to Breezy:
I feel like I’m 85, 90 percent ready. It’s just the little things that I feel a little anxious about, but for the most part, I feel good and ready to help the team,.
Jones will also be sharing the frontcourt with the Dream’s newest addition, Angel Reese, who’s been meshing well with the team while averaging 15.3 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. With Jones sidelined, Naz Hillmon and Reese have occupied much of the frontcourt, while rookie Madina Okot has provided depth off the bench.
Once Jones returns, she and Reese will be able to dominate the rebounding category, while allowing Hillmon and Okot to provide fresh legs off the bench.
This is what Jones had to say about what she’s seen in Reese so far in Atlanta:
She’s (Reese) been great vocally. I think she brings that energy every day in the timeouts. In practice, she’s always using her voice, and she’s always bringing that energy. So I think just that growth that way, but I think just on the court, she’s been great
Jones went on to say that though the team’s new system of offense has been an adjustment for Reese, she believes Angel has done a great job picking it up quickly and applying it to her game.
Credit was also given to Okot, as Jones exclaimed how much growth she’s seen from the rookie since the beginning of the season. Both she and Reese have been in Okot’s ear, encouraging her to stay ready for her role whenever her number is called.
The wait is almost over. Breezy is almost back.
Until she gets the green light, Jones is continuing to put in the work behind the scenes so she can return as the best version of herself. And the Dream are working overtime to get as close to their full potential as they can until their missing piece returns.
