In a significant blow to the Minnesota Lynx, guard DiJonai Carrington has been ruled out for the remainder of the WNBA season following a left foot sprain sustained during the first round of the playoffs. The announcement was made by the team on Saturday night, confirming the severity of her injury.
Carrington suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of the Lynx’s narrow 75-74 victory over the Golden State team in Game 2, held in San Jose, California. After experiencing discomfort, she was unable to return to the game, raising immediate concerns about her condition.
At a press conference on Friday, where teammate Alanna Smith was honored as the Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Carrington appeared on crutches and was seen wearing a walking boot on her left foot. This visual underscored the seriousness of her injury, which was later confirmed through an MRI examination.
The team reported that Carrington was evaluated by Dr. Elena Jelsing, the team physician at Mayo Clinic Square, where a significant mid-foot sprain was diagnosed. This diagnosis means that Carrington will not participate in any further games this season, including the upcoming playoff series against the Phoenix team.
Earlier that same day, Carrington had already been ruled out of Game 1 of the Lynx's second-round playoff matchup, scheduled for 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Target Center. Her absence will undoubtedly be felt as the team advances in the playoffs.
Carrington joined the Lynx on August 3, having been acquired in a trade that involved moving players Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson, and a 2027 second-round pick to the Dallas Wings. Standing at 5-foot-11, Carrington was anticipated to be a key player, bringing both defensive intensity and crucial playoff experience to the team.
Prior to her injury, Carrington averaged 8.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.2 steals in just 16.6 minutes per game off the bench during the regular season. It’s worth noting that she had missed the final four games of the regular season due to a lingering shoulder injury, making her return for Game 1 of the playoffs against the Valkyries all the more significant.
The Lynx will have to regroup and adapt to Carrington’s absence as they continue their playoff journey. Her contributions were crucial, and the team will need to find ways to fill the void left by her injury as they aim for success in the postseason.
