Aces rookie Kate Martin quickly emerged as one of the WNBA’s best stories this season, going from someone who wasn’t sure she would be drafted at all to a rotation piece for the defending champions.
Even in a relatively small role, Martin has gotten teammates and fans to rally around her after an impressive college career next to Caitlin Clark at Iowa. In a potentially devastating moment on Tuesday night, that support was more evident than ever.
Martin went down with a potentially serious injury in the first quarter of the Aces’ game against the Sky on Tuesday, prompting her teammates to immediately surround her and try to lift her spirits.
Here are the latest updates on Martin’s status ahead of the WNBA’s Olympic break.
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Kate Martin injury update
Martin appeared to suffer a noncontact lower leg injury in the first quarter Tuesday’s matchup with the Sky. She went down in a heap and was helped back to the locker room, though she appeared to be putting some weight on her lower right leg.
Hope Kate Martin is ok🙏 pic.twitter.com/WasuKpws0O
— Jasone Pearson (@806hsscmedia) July 17, 2024
The Aces announced soon after that Martin would not return to the game, though fans are still hoping the injury is a simple turn of the ankle rather than anything more serious.
Meanwhile, Martin’s Aces teammates surrounded her almost instantly after the injury, shielding her as she collected herself and offering their support as she was helped off the court.
Kate Martin is hurt after a tough fall — whole Aces team crowded around her as she made her way to the locker room pic.twitter.com/eykTb2gEi4
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzellNBA) July 17, 2024
If Martin is only dealing with an ankle sprain, the injury comes at just about the most ideal time possible. The WNBA is about to take its four-week Olympic break, and the Aces don’t play again for another 32 days. Las Vegas, along with Martin’s many fans from her days at Iowa, will hope it’s not anything more severe for the rookie.
Martin entered Tuesday averaging 3.6 points and 2.0 rebounds through 22 WNBA games.
