Chennedy Carter has yet to start a game this season, but she is only behind four-time MVP A'Ja Wilson in scoring for the Las Vegas Aces and leads the league in bench scoring, playing a pivotal role in the team's second-best record in the WNBA.
However, Carter has been sidelined for the Aces' last two games after picking up a left leg injury on May 31 against the Golden State Valkyries. She apparently suffered the injury early in the first quarter after a block by Valkyries forward Laeticia Amihere, and while it didn't appear serious, she was eventually subbed off in the third quarter and never returned.
The 27-year-old has since missed both games against the Los Angeles Sparks and the Valkyries, and ahead of Monday night's matchup against the Seattle Storm, she continues to remain on the injury report, though with a notable update.
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Carter was ruled out for the Aces' last game but is now listed as questionable, suggesting some positive development in her recovery.
Update: Carter was downgraded to out on the team's final injury report.
Las Vegas will continue to remain cautious and should be in no rush to bring her back as guard Jackie Young has stepped up, scoring 16 and 27 points, respectively, in the last two games, with the team winning both matchups.
Even though the Aces entered the season as defending WNBA champions, they were in need of a guard who could attack the basket, and Carter has been everything Las Vegas wanted her to be, averaging 17.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in eight appearances while shooting 65.1% from the field and 58.8% from three-point range.
A Look At Carter's WNBA Career
Carter was selected fourth overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2020 WNBA Draft and was a Rookie of the Year candidate for much of the season before an injury derailed her campaign. She still made the WNBA All-Rookie Team, finishing the season with averages of 17.4 points and 3.4 assists per game.
However, things took a dramatic turn in her second season when she was suspended indefinitely for "conduct detrimental to the team" and eventually traded to the Los Angeles Sparks ahead of the 2022 season.
Carter appeared in 24 games for the Sparks, averaging 8.9 points per game, but started just two games, with reports later emerging that she was benched for poor conduct. The former Texas star was eventually waived in March 2023 and didn't play during the ensuing season.
She spent the 2024 season with the Chicago Sky, averaging 17.5 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game across 33 appearances and 20 starts. She finished fourth in Most Improved Player voting, but the Sky didn't extend her, with the 27-year-old spending the following season in China after going unsigned.
The Aces took a chance on Carter this season, and so far, that decision has paid off. Before the injury, she was one of the league's most productive reserves and a key piece of Las Vegas' success. Now, the team's focus will be on getting her healthy for the stretch run.
