The Atlanta Dream picked up an enormous win over the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday, 74-66, however misplaced start line guard Jordin Canada to a proper leg harm within the course of. Canada was carried off the court docket late within the third quarter and didn’t return. Dream coach Karl Smesko was not requested about Canada’s standing throughout the post-game press convention.
Late within the third quarter, Canada drove to the basket towards Alyssa Thomas and began wincing as she tossed up a clumsy runner. She then hopped off the court docket with out placing a lot weight on her proper leg and collapsed behind the basket. The Dream performed four-on-five for a couple of possessions earlier than they had been in a position to name a timeout and cease the motion.
Canada was in apparent ache because the Dream’s medical employees attended to her on the bottom in entrance of the stands. After a short analysis, she was carried to the locker room.
A couple of minutes earlier than she was carried off, Canada was out on the fastbreak and took a clumsy fall after a foul by Sami Whitcomb. Canada instantly grabbed at her proper leg and was flexing it whereas she remained on the bottom for a short interval.
It is too early to know Canada’s prognosis or how lengthy she could also be out, however the early indicators had been disconcerting. Throughout the preseason, Canada suffered a proper knee harm and ended up lacking the primary three weeks of the season. Ever since then, she has been sporting a sleeve on her proper leg. It is unclear if this most up-to-date harm is expounded.
Coming into Sunday’s contest, Canada was averaging 11.9 factors, 3.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists — good for fifth within the league — and 1.6 steals. Whereas Canada has not been taking pictures the ball effectively this season — 39.9% from the sector, together with 28.8% from 3-point vary — her playmaking and protection have been essential for the third-place Dream. Notably, the Dream’s defensive score is 94.7 with Canada on the court docket and 101.7 with out her.
Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard, who returned from her personal knee harm on Sunday however was ejected within the fourth quarter, will tackle extra playmaking duties in Canada’s absence. Rookie Te-Hina Paopao additionally figures to see an even bigger position for so long as Canada stays sidelined.
With Sunday’s victory, the Dream have gained 5 straight video games and improved to 20-11 on the season. They now have the identical file because the reigning champion New York Liberty and are a recreation forward of the Mercury. With a month remaining within the common season, the Dream are in nice form to earn homecourt benefit within the first spherical of the playoffs and actually have a probability to earn the No. 2 seed, although that shall be tougher if Canada faces an prolonged absence.