The Chicago Sky are approaching a crucial period down the stretch of the 2024 WNBA season. Chicago will kick the last week of August off with a matchup against the Washington Mystics at Wintrust Arena on Wednesday. However, just one day before the game, the Sky received a concerning injury report update on starting guard Chennedy Carter following the team's COVID-19 scare.

Carter is ruled out for Wednesday's Mystics game due to “Health and Safety Protocols,” the team announced on Tuesday evening. It is not clear whether the condition preventing Carter from playing is COVID-19-related. Hopefully, she will have a speedy recovery.

The Sky canceled Tuesday's practice due to multiple players being sick, according to Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times. The team reportedly began testing for COVID-19 amid the illness scare. Unless the injury report changes before game time, the Sky should have enough players to suit up against the Mystics.

Chennedy Carter has been quite the offensive spark for the Sky in her first year with the squad. Through 28 games, she averages a team-high 17.2 points along with a career-high 1.1 steals per contest. Carter nearly helped the Sky overcome a 10-point deficit against the Las Vegas Aces on Aug. 25, making a clutch three that tied the game with one second left:

Article Continues Below
More Chicago Sky News
Dallas Wings forward Maddy Siegrist (20) and Chicago Sky guard Rebecca Allen (9) battle for the ball during the first half at the Wintrust Arena.
Fans react to Sky finally winning first 2025 WNBA season gameYasmin Edañol ·
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) and Dallas Wings center Teaira McCowan (15) go up for the ball during the first half at the Wintrust Arena.
Angel Reese sets WNBA offensive rebound record in Wings takedownDavid Yapkowitz ·
Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) reacts after a foul call against the Phoenix Mercury in the second half at Footprint Center.
Courtney Vandersloot makes scoring history vs. Paige Bueckers, WingsDavid Yapkowitz ·
Candace’s Rising Stars general manager Candace Parker looks on during the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center.
Sky legend Candace Parker honored with 2nd WNBA jersey retirementYasmin Edañol ·
Former WNBA player Sue Bird arrives on the red carpet before the 2023 ESPYS at the Dolby Theatre.
WNBA legend Sue Bird drops mic on Angel Reese-Caitlin Clark rivalry getting ‘deeper meaning’ from mediaJess Koffie ·
Chicago Sky player Angel Reese next to a screenshot of the ‘A’ logo from this link, Reebok signature shoe logo
Angel Reese drops ‘fire’ take on Reebok’s sneak peak of signature shoe logoDavid Yapkowitz ·

Carter's incredible shot was followed up with an A'ja Wilson buzzer-beater that gave the Sky a heartbreaking 77-75 loss.

Carter's absence from the Mystics game hurts Chicago, but they will find other ways to thrive to get a much-needed win.

The Sky will lean on the production of Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, but starting guard Lindsay Allen will also be crucial. Allen caught fire in the fourth quarter against the Aces on Sunday, finishing with 16 points. If Allen, fellow starter Michaela Onyenwere, and Chicago's bench can provide steady offense, the team will have a chance to snap their three-game losing streak.