Brionna Jones scored a season-high 15 points without missing a shot as she continues finding her footing and building chemistry with Angel Reese.
Brionna Jones was perfect on Monday night, not missing a shot. Despite her stellar performance in Atlanta's 107-95 victory over Toronto, she emphasized how much work she still has ahead in her recovery.
Jones achieved a season-high 15 points in just 19 minutes coming off the bench, converting all 5 of her field-goal tries and making 5-of-6 free throws. She also contributed 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal.
Her scoring came in two different ways. Jones got all 5 of her first-half points at the free-throw line, then made each of her 5 baskets after halftime.
Her performance came less than a month after she returned from a right knee injury that sidelined her for the first 24 games of the season.
Jones said her teammates have continued to back her as she works her way into the rotation.
"I feel like I'm still trying to find my way, find my feet a little bit," Jones said. "I think my teammates, they have my back. They know what I'm capable of. But it feels good today to be able to get out there and contribute a little bit more.
"But I think I'm still trying to figure things out and give myself grace," Jones continued. "That's been the hardest part for me."
Jones Working Back From Knee Surgery
Jones tore the meniscus in her right knee in late January while playing for USK Praha in the Czech Women's Basketball League. ESPN's Alexa Philippou first reported the injury.
She underwent surgery at Emory Hospital, and Atlanta announced in April that Jones would be out indefinitely.
Her return came July 16 at Toronto. Jones had 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in 15 minutes that night, her first appearance off the bench since 2022 with Connecticut.
Jones played all 44 games for Atlanta last season and averaged 12.8 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 52.7% from the field. She was also selected as an All-Star.
In 2023, Jones suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon that limited her to 13 games.
Atlanta re-signed her in April as part of a group that also included Allisha Gray, Jordin Canada, Naz Hillmon, and Rhyne Howard. Jones spent her first eight WNBA seasons with Connecticut before joining the Dream in 2025.
While she was away, Atlanta relied on Angel Reese, Hillmon, and rookie Madina Okot in the frontcourt. Jones played an average of 26.6 minutes last season and was a regular starter.
Jones, Reese Building Frontcourt Chemistry
Reese finished Monday with 20 points and 14 rebounds for her 22nd double-double of the season, setting an Atlanta single-season record.
She and Jones have only shared the floor for a little more than three weeks.
Jones said their ability to find one another in the post has started to develop.
"Oh, it makes it so easy, playing out there with her, being able to have that inside-outside," Jones said. "I can find her in the post, she can find me in the post.
"I think we're still building that chemistry a little bit," Jones added. "But I think we've found a rhythm working together in that way, because I know when she's posting up down there, I'm going to find her."
Dream coach Karl Smesko said Jones' readiness to pass provides Atlanta with more options when opponents focus extra attention on either post player.
"Yeah, I think they've done well together. Bri is a willing passer, so if they start to bring a double, or even if Angel's defender turns her back on Angel and starts to kind of cheat in a little bit, there's an opportunity to cut and score," Smesko said. "And somebody that really believes in making the right play, so she's not going to force something that isn't there. And if she has an open teammate, she's going to get the open teammate the ball.
"So we've got just over 10 games, right, for them to get a little bit more comfortable with each other," Smesko continued. "Because obviously there was no real practice time where they could spend a lot of time together. So a lot of this is just the minutes on the floor."
Six Atlanta players scored in double figures against Toronto. The Dream improved to 20-12 and completed a season sweep of the Tempo.
Atlanta plays Connecticut on the road on Thursday.
