A’ja Wilson could be out ‘weeks’ with ankle injury

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 21: (L-R) Assistant coach Vickie Johnson, A'ja Wilson #22, Jackie Young #0 and JiSu Park #19 of the Las Vegas Aces watch from the bench as the team takes on the Minnesota Lynx at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on July 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Lynx 79-74. Wilson suffered a sprained ankle in a game against Seattle on July 19. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 21: (L-R) Assistant coach Vickie Johnson, A'ja Wilson #22, Jackie Young #0 and JiSu Park #19 of the Las Vegas Aces watch from the bench as the team takes on the Minnesota Lynx at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on July 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Lynx 79-74. Wilson suffered a sprained ankle in a game against Seattle on July 19. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Another injury impacts the race for the top-two seeds

Las Vegas Aces forward and WNBA All-Star captain A’ja Wilson sported a walking boot on her left foot from the bench on Sunday as her team defeated the Minnesota Lynx to improve to 12-6.

She left the game and did not return in Friday’s loss to the Seattle Storm due to what was later deemed a high ankle sprain.

A specific timetable has not yet been set for a targeted return date, but Aces head coach and president of basketball operations Bill Laimbeer noted postgame on Sunday that his team could be without one of its stars for a good chunk of time.

“The doctor saw her again tonight,” he said. “I would suspect it’s weeks. What that means, I don’t really have a handle on right now.”

The Aces have one game remaining before the All-Star break. They host the Storm on Tuesday, also the night of the 2019 WNBA All-Star draft (9:30 PM ET, ESPN2). Wilson and Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne have been selected as All-Star captains.

As of Monday morning, an announcement has not been made on Wilson’s status for the All-Star game and a potential replacement player.

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