PHOENIX — Jonquel Jones moves differently in the playoffs.

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The fun-loving, calm Bahamian’s energy intensifies. The heaviness of the moment doesn’t weigh her down but rather makes her stronger in the same way pressure creates diamonds.

“I just kind of have a one-track mindset when it comes to the playoffs and I understand how important every possession is,” Jones told The Post after Saturday’s practice. “I can’t really say what it is, but it just feels different.”

The Liberty are the WNBA’s most experienced postseason team, combining for 252 playoff games. But no New York player has made more playoff appearances than Jones.

She’s experienced heartbreak and joy. She knows all too well the pain of having to stew in a disappointing end to a season for six months until a new WNBA campaign.

That feeling of not toppling the final hurdle motivated her for years.

It’s why Jones came to New York before the 2023 season. She wanted to win the one thing she chased but never caught up to that point in her career: a WNBA championship.

Last year, she savored the sweetness of her greatness, stringing together a memorable 11-game run en route to delivering New York City its first professional basketball title in more than five decades.

She rightfully earned her crown as the 2024 Finals MVP after averaging 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 56.1 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from behind the arc during the series against the Lynx.

She also sank all 19 of her free throws.

With the playoffs beginning Sunday, the onus is on Jones to unlock the slumbering savage that is “Playoff JJ.”

Jones is one of the most important players in the Liberty’s first-round series against the Mercury. She’s expected to carry the burden of being former teammate Alyssa Thomas’ primary defender.

But if there’s anyone who can manage the threat that Thomas presents opponents, it’s an engaged Jones.

She knows this. She’s ready for this.

“Ultimately, I know her really well,” Jones said. “She’s a friend of mine, and going to use all that experience to try to slow her down and put us in a better position to win a game.” 

Thomas is the key cog to the Mercury’s offense. Jam her up and things could get sticky for Phoenix.

Breanna Stewart also will be on call for Thomas duty.

“We want to put her in the toughest position possible,” Stewart said. “She’s having a great year, but using our length to make it hard for her to see passing lanes. But also, if she wants to get downhill and attack, she’s going to [have to] finish over size.”

Jones has a history of upping the ante once the postseason begins. She produces more points, rebounds, assists and blocks on average in the postseason than in the regular season. Her efficiency improves, too.

She’s ranked 15th in all-time WNBA postseason points, sixth in total rebounds, 10th in blocks and tied for fifth in double-doubles. 

The Liberty need Jones to be at her best to make the deep playoff run they hope to have.

“Whenever she’s dominant, she’s just unstoppable, and it spreads,” Stewart said. “And to have a player that can do that from start to finish, it’s what you need, but it’s what can get the team going. It’s not always me or [Sabrina Ionescu] but JJ as well, and then it’s a trickle-down effect.”

Jones finished the regular season averaging 13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 blocked shots per game. She drained a career-best 1.7 treys per game while converting at a 42.4 percent clip.

In the end, the Liberty know what they’re going to get out of Jones. And truthfully, they just want her to be JJ: Be a force down low, collect rebounds like they’re currency, remain committed on defense and be who she is. 

That’s what “Playoff JJ” is about. 

“At the end of the day for me, now,” Jones said, “it’s just about winning the championship.”