Carrington Set to Return for Chicago Sky After Long Recovery

The 2026 WNBA season has kept DiJonai Carrington on the bench until now. After over three months of recovery, she is ready to debut for the Chicago Sky. Carrington has joined full practice sessions following a left foot sprain that sidelined her for the first 27 games. She picked up this injury during free agency the previous season. Carrington remains a game-day decision but hopes to play on Thursday against the Connecticut Sun.

“I learned about my resilience,” Carrington stated. “It’s been a tough year, and getting back on the floor feels surreal.” The injury occurred during the 2025 playoffs. Carrington had surgery last October, followed by another in April to remove foot hardware. Her recovery was on schedule for her return after the All-Star break.

The Sky have a five-game home run after the All-Star weekend, a good time for Carrington to rejoin the team. A week-long gap between games allowed her to scrimmage fully with teammates. “When games are frequent, I can’t ask for full-court scrimmages with nine players,” Carrington joked.

The Sky’s lack of a permanent training site complicated Carrington’s recovery. Her recovery involved multiple venues like UIC, Loyola, and Wintrust Arena. Promised new facilities in Bedford Park remain unfinished, affecting her rehabilitation. Carrington never expected these delays to be season-long.

Despite the challenges, Carrington won’t use these obstacles as excuses. “No one cares,” she mentioned. “You must adapt and find a way to do what’s needed, even if it’s not ideal.” The Sky signed Carrington knowing her late-season start. Expected to return post-All-Star, her actual return aligns with an optimistic recovery timeline.

Coach Tyler Marsh faces integrating Carrington midseason into a team dealing with returning players. Initially, the Sky managed injury setbacks with stars like Courtney Vandersloot and Azurá Stevens returning before Carrington. Vandersloot’s comeback reshuffled the lineup, affecting Skylar Diggins’ role. Diggins has been benched due to a knee injury since leaving the starting lineup.

With Carrington joining, the Sky’s backcourt faces further adjustments. “It’s challenging but familiar,” Marsh acknowledged. “We adapt as a team, valuing Carrington’s role upon her return.” Carrington aims to reconnect with teammates Natasha Cloud and Vandersloot, whom she played alongside in offseason leagues.

Approaching her return, Carrington feels anticipation but no nervousness. Whether it’s against Connecticut, the Las Vegas Aces, or later, she is ready to perform. “I’m not avoiding challenges,” Carrington expressed. “I’m eager to get back on the court.”