Jonquel Jones turned a childhood dream into an All-Star MVP performance Saturday, earning the 2026 award after a 129-122 game in Chicago. Selected as an All-Star reserve, Jones delivered one of the event’s defining performances in front of a record 19,783 attendees.

What happened

Jones finished the game with 22 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Her production across all three categories carried her to the MVP honor and left her only two assists short of a triple-double.

The award followed Jones’ selection as an All-Star reserve. She made the most of that opportunity, pairing her scoring with a game-high-impact combination of rebounding and playmaking as the teams combined for 251 points.

Why it matters

The All-Star MVP completes a four-stage WNBA MVP sweep for Jones. It adds another major distinction to a trophy case that already includes the 2021 regular-season MVP and the 2024 Finals MVP.

Those honors reflect success in different competitive settings. The regular-season award recognized her performance over a full campaign, the Finals trophy marked her impact on the championship stage, and the All-Star award highlighted her ability to stand out in a showcase featuring the league’s top talent.

For Jones, the latest honor also carried personal significance beyond the expanding list of awards. She said the All-Star MVP fulfilled a childhood dream, connecting Saturday’s performance to an ambition that preceded her professional career.

By the numbers

Jones’ final line underscored the breadth of her contribution: 22 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. She reached a double-double through scoring and rebounding while creating enough offense for teammates to approach a triple-double.

The game itself ended 129-122, a seven-point margin in a high-scoring contest. Attendance reached 19,783, establishing a record and giving Jones’ milestone performance a notable setting in Chicago.

What to watch next

The All-Star stage now gives way to the regular-season schedule. Jones is set to return to regular-season play Tuesday, July 28, carrying the newest MVP award of her career back into games that count toward the standings.

Her immediate task will be shifting from the showcase environment to the demands of the season. Saturday’s near-triple-double provided a clear snapshot of the scoring, rebounding and passing impact she can bring into that return.