Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington is set to make her long-awaited season debut Thursday night against the Connecticut Sun, provided she experiences no last-minute issues before tip-off, she informed ESPN’s Alexa Philippou.
The versatile defender and scorer has sat out every one of the Sky’s 27 contests so far this year while working her way back from a left foot injury. Thursday’s game at Wintrust Arena is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Central time.
Carrington’s foot troubles began in September of last year. She suffered a mid-left foot sprain during Game 2 of Minnesota’s first-round playoff series versus Golden State. Two days later, the Lynx confirmed she would be sidelined for the rest of the postseason.
She also missed the entire 2026 Unrivaled campaign. Carrington underwent surgery during the offseason and required a second procedure in April. Chicago signed her to a one-year deal on April 12; the team, in keeping with its standard practice, did not reveal the financial details.
Carrington was absent from the court when training camp opened in May. She finally completed a full practice Tuesday. Sky coach Tyler Marsh expressed optimism afterward about her availability for Thursday, and the team listed her as questionable on its initial injury report.
On July 14, Carrington addressed reporters for the first time since camp began. She described the 10-month recovery process as “long, tedious and non-linear,” according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Connecticut selected Carrington with the 20th overall pick in the 2021 WNBA draft. Across four seasons and 131 games with the Sun, she posted averages of 8.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. Her breakout came in 2024, when she earned Most Improved Player honors and a First-Team All-Defensive nod after averaging 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 steals in 39 appearances.
A February trade moved her to Dallas ahead of the 2025 season. Minnesota then acquired her from the Wings in early August. In 31 combined games between the two clubs, she averaged 9.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 21.9 minutes while making 14 starts.
Prior to her professional career, Carrington spent four seasons at Stanford and one at Baylor, where she was named Big 12 Sixth Player of the Year.
The Sky enter Thursday’s matchup with a 9-18 record and sit sixth in the Eastern Conference. Chicago has been idle since a 95-94 road loss to New York on July 22, its final contest before the All-Star break. In that game, Sydney Taylor poured in 31 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.
Washington currently occupies the eighth spot in the overall standings at 15-12.
Veteran guard Skylar Diggins has been unavailable since scoring 19 points in a July 3 defeat at Las Vegas. She is dealing with a right knee injury and has no return timetable. Forward Rickea Jackson tore her left ACL in May and is done for the season.
In roster moves during the offseason, Chicago sent Angel Reese to Atlanta and waived Hailey Van Lith, who was subsequently claimed by Connecticut.
The Sun arrive with a 7-21 mark. The two teams have split their previous meetings this year. Chicago took an 85-80 decision at Wintrust Arena on June 5, while Connecticut responded with a 92-63 victory in Uncasville on June 22. They are scheduled to meet once more on Aug. 25 in Connecticut.
After Thursday’s contest, the Sky host Las Vegas on Saturday as they continue their push to climb the Eastern Conference standings with Carrington potentially back in the fold.
