From the 106 section of Wintrust Arena on Friday night, Candace Parker heaved a trick shot with a boot on her left ankle.
Both attempts largely missed the basket, but Parker laughed, enjoying her new home arena.
Sunday, against the New York Liberty at noon, Parker will make the home debut she and WNBA fans in the Chicago area and beyond have been anticipating. It was put into question when Parker suffered a minor ankle injury ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Atlanta Dream.
“We were trying to test it before the game to see if she could go on it,” coach and general manager James Wade said following the team’s 85-77 win over the Dream. “We ended up making a decision to prioritize her health.”
She was a projected starter as close as 20 minutes before tipoff. Ruthy Hebard was tapped to start in her place and finished with a double-double, 18 points and 10 rebounds against the Dream.
Parker’s injury has been described as a minor sprain. Sky staff said Parker came down on it awkwardly in Wednesday’s shootaround and out of an abundance of caution the team wanted to give her some rest.
At the team’s video shoot the boot on Parker’s left ankle was the only thing keeping her from moving freely. She was not using crutches and didn’t appear to be in any pain.
BTS from yesterday’s Sky video shoot.
I’m told Parker is expected to play in the home opener Sunday. She has been practicing with the team & was in the boot as a precaution. pic.twitter.com/5KgZVeCAwv
— Annie Costabile (@AnnieCostabile) May 22, 2021
The Sky’s home opener at Wintrust Arena against the New York Liberty Sunday at noon will be in front of a sold-out crowd of 1,257 people. In accordance with Chicago’s guidelines and the league’s that is the full number of seats available in the arena at this time. That includes court-side seating, on the 100 and 200 level.
Rookie point guard Shyla Heal will make her debut for the Sky on Sunday. Heal joined the team for her first team workout Friday after going through the league’s COVID-19 protocol.
As she stood on the court at Wintrust Friday for the team’s video shoot and considered she’s making her WNBA debut as fans are returning, she smiled.
“It’s really special,” Heal said.
