Stevens, DeShields leave the WNBA bubble
Diamond DeShields and Azura Stevens both left the WNBA bubble at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., on Saturday morning, leaving the Chicago Sky without two key players from their rotation for the remainder of the season.
A left knee injury that kept Stevens out the last two games will require evaluation from a cartilage specialist and bring an end her 2020 season. DeShields exited for personal reasons, and Sky coach James Wade said before the team’s 88-74 loss to the Seattle Storm that the team did not expect her to return.
“We’re sad to see them go but we just have to make do with it,” Wade told reporters during a video conference. “We saw them this morning and wished them well. We j u st h ave to continue playing.”
Storm forward Breanna Stewart led all scorers with 21 points as the Sky lost their second straight. Kahleah Copper had 19 points for the short-handed Sky (10-6), who were outscored 49-34 at half and were down by as many as 22 points early in the second.
DeShields, the Sky’s leading scorer and an All-Star last season, had been limited all season while recovering from a knee injury, which kept her out of the starting lineup and led to career lows in points (6.8) and minutes (17.2) per game. Her last appearance was in an Aug. 20 game against the New York Liberty in which played about two minutes before leaving with an apparent quad injury.
Stevens was enjoying her best season, starting the team’s first 13 games and averaging 11.5 points and 5.9 rebounds, both career highs. She also last played Aug. 20 against the Liberty, scoring a season-high 25 points and adding seven rebounds. Left knee soreness kept her out of two games, however, and the Sky announced she needed further evaluation because of an osteochondral defect in the knee.
It’s the second year in a row injuries have derailed Stevens’ season. She played in just nine games in 2019 because of a foot injury.
The Sky already had their depth tested this season, and losing two key rotation members weakens a roster seeking to make a deep playoff run.
They made a move before Friday’s trade deadline, acquiring forward Stephanie Mavunga from the Indiana
Fever in exchange for forward Jantel Lavender, who missed the season while recovering from foot surgery. The Sky also sent the Fever second- and third-round draft picks.
Mavunga, 25, the 14th pick in the 2018 draft out of Ohio State, was off to a strong start before suffering a broken nose. She left the bubble while recovering, but the Sky said she has been cleared to play and will return after her quarantine period, which Wade hoped would be Tuesday or Wednesday. Wade, who is also the team’s general manager, believed the Sky needed to add talent.
“With all the injuries and with the competitive season, we felt that it was best for the betterment of our team to add another young piece that was a good player and had great character,” Wade said.. “It’s a tough day for us, but we’ll feel good when Stephanie gets here and we’re able to welcome her in like family.
“These things are always bothersome, especially for a coach and especially in this day and time. … You don’t make these decisions lightly, but we have to do what’s best for the players that are playing, and it was obvious to us we had to have healthy bodies.”
Associated Press contributed.