Sky’s Chennedy Carter lands on injury report following COVID scare

The Chicago Sky are entering a critical phase as the 2024 WNBA season nears its end. Chicago will start off the final week of August with a game against the Washington Mystics at Wintrust Arena on Wednesday. However, just a day before the game, the Sky received an alarming injury update regarding starting guard Chennedy Carter following a COVID-19 scare.

Carter has been ruled out of the Mystics game on Wednesday due to “Health and Safety Protocols,” the team announced on Tuesday evening. It remains unclear if Carter’s inability to play is related to COVID-19. We hope for her swift recovery.

The team had to cancel Tuesday’s practice as multiple players fell ill, as reported by Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times. Amid the illness concerns, the team started testing for COVID-19. Unless there are changes to the injury report before game time, the Sky should have enough players to take on the Mystics.

Chennedy Carter has been a key offensive player for the Sky in her first season with the team. In 28 games, she averages a team-leading 17.2 points and a career-high 1.1 steals per game. Carter almost helped the Sky overcome a 10-point deficit against the Las Vegas Aces on August 25th with a clutch three-point shot that tied the game with just one second left.

Unfortunately, Carter’s remarkable shot was followed by an A’ja Wilson buzzer-beater, resulting in a heartbreaking 77-75 loss for the Sky.

Carter’s absence will certainly impact the Sky’s game against the Mystics, but the team will adapt and strive for a crucial win.

The Sky will rely on Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso’s contributions, with starting guard Lindsay Allen also playing a vital role. Allen showed her scoring prowess in the fourth quarter against the Aces, finishing with 16 points. If Allen, along with fellow starter Michaela Onyenwere and the rest of the team, can provide consistent offense, the Sky have a chance to break their three-game losing streak.

Christopher Smith is a sports journalist who primarily covers the Chicago Sky, NBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL for ClutchPoints. The Aurora, Illinois native received his education from Creighton University, and he has contributed to Last Word on Sports and FanSided.