Toronto Tempo guard Brittney Sykes was injured in Tuesday’s 113-91 loss to the Indiana Fever, but it appears as though she and the team may have avoided a worst-case scenario.
Sykes fell awkwardly while trying to drive to the basket midway through the third quarter, with her left foot bending in a way that immediately raised concerns about a potentially serious injury.
However, while Sykes did not return to the game and has already been ruled out for Friday’s road matchup against the Connecticut Sun, the Tempo announced Friday that she suffered a plantar fascia injury and will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks.
Though a plantar fascia injury is still a significant setback, it is not as severe as many initially feared. The injury can make it difficult for players to sprint and move explosively, so Toronto is expected to take a cautious approach and ensure Sykes makes a full recovery before returning to action.
Brittney Sykes was having an unreal season for the Tempo
Brittney Sykes, 32, is in the midst of a career-best season with the Tempo, averaging 20.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 15 games. She has been a crucial part of the team’s success in its inaugural season and leads the club in minutes played, averaging 31.8 per game.
Quite frankly, Sykes cannot be replaced, and it is going to be very difficult for the team to work around her injury. The Tempo also announced Friday that rookie Kiki Rice, who suffered a Grade 3 left ankle sprain, will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks.
Rice and Sykes had started to develop strong chemistry together, and the duo had become one of the Tempo’s most reliable pairings this season. Rice has spent much of the year playing alongside Sykes, and the two have formed a formidable combination for Toronto.
As of now, the Tempo have only 10 available players, with Nyara Sabally also listed as doubtful for Friday’s contest against the Connecticut Sun. The Tempo now find themselves on a three-game losing streak, and without Sykes and Rice, it will be even more difficult for them to consistently win games moving forward.
Read More:
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in the NBA, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
