Sun Lose All-Star Center Brionna Jones to Season-Ending Injury

The two-time All-Star suffered the injury during Tuesday's game.

Sun center Brionna Jones will miss the rest of the season after rupturing her right Achilles on Tuesday, the team announced. Jones, who on incurred the injury in Connecticut’s game vs. Seattle, underwent surgery on Friday.

“First, I want to thank everyone who has reached out over the last few days. All of the love I’ve received has truly been a blessing as I’ve gone through this tough time,” Jones said in a statement. “While this is not how I envisioned this season ending for me, I am determined and ready to head into the next stage of recovery and rehab.”

Brionna Jones was helped off the court after going down with an apparent leg injury. pic.twitter.com/AWnTM0S8f2

— espnW (@espnW) June 21, 2023

Connecticut drafted Jones out of Maryland in 2017, and the center has become one of the staples of the franchise. Jones is coming off back-to-back All-Star appearances, and began this year playing her best, averaging 15.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, both career-highs, in 13 games played.

Last year, Jones was the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year, as she made the All-Star game while starting just seven games all year. While she will miss the season, Jones said she expects to make a full recovery, and she still believes in the Sun without her.

“I know I have an amazing support system behind me, and I will return on the other side of this stronger than ever,” she said. “I’m definitely going to miss competing every night with this incredible group of women the most, but I am excited to see this team continue to flourish and accomplish great things this season.”