Sky practice was abruptly canceled Tuesday morning.
According to the team, multiple players felt sick, prompting the last-minute cancellation. On the advice of the medical staff, several players were wearing masks at the Sachs Recreation Center.
According to general manager Jeff Pagliocca, multiple players were tested for COVID-19. When the Sky’s injury report was released later in the day, guard Chennedy Carter was the only player — aside from center Elizabeth Williams (knee) — listed as out because of health and safety protocols.
Carter’s absence means the Sky will face the Mystics on Wednesday without their leading scorer. It’s unclear whether she will be available for their game Friday against the Fever or their two-game road trip against the Lynx on Sunday and the Aces on Tuesday.
In March, the Centers for Disease Control updated its long-standing recommendation that people who test positive for COVID should isolate for at least five days. The CDC now states that people can return to regular activities if their symptoms are mild and improving, provided it has been at least a day since they’ve had a fever.
In 2020, the WNBA postponed Game 1 of the semifinals between the Storm and Lynx after inconclusive COVID results came back from the Storm. The league hasn’t postponed a game because of COVID since.
The Sky are coming off three consecutive losses. Their most recent came Sunday against the Aces on a buzzer-beating layup by MVP candidate A’ja Wilson. The Aces played the Wings on the road Tuesday. When asked whether her team needed to test for COVID before the game, coach Becky Hammon told reporters it was the first time she had heard of any illness.
The last time the players’ union and the league negotiated COVID protocols was in 2022. Under those rules, players must test for the virus only if they are symptomatic. Players can be cleared to return to play with two negative tests at least 24 hours apart.
Since then, the WNBA has adopted minimal guidelines, one league source said.
As of Aug. 16, the CDC estimated that COVID infections were growing or likely to grow in 27 states. Illinois was one of the states the CDC marked as growing in cases. The Biden administration recently announced it will resume giving out free at-home COVID-19 tests by mail. At the end of September, households can order up to four rapid tests by visiting COVIDtests.gov.
Last week, the Food and Drug Administration approved two updated COVID vaccines to help battle the virus’ latest strains. CVS and Walgreens are accepting appointments before the vaccines’ release, with Walgreens saying it will have a vaccine available Sept. 6.
The game against the Mystics is a must-win for the Sky, who have a one-game advantage over the Dream in the battle for the eighth and final playoff spot. Without Carter, however, it will be an uphill battle.
Coach Teresa Weatherspoon has not said who will replace Carter in the starting lineup. Based on previous rotations, however, it likely will be guard Rachel Banham.
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