Indiana Fever guard Erica Wheeler, the MVP of the 2019 WNBA All-Star Game, is not expected to play this season, the team announced Friday.
She has been in medical protocol at home after testing positive for COVID-19 in July.
"We will continue to go through the necessary steps to help her during this time," general manager Tamika Catchings said.
The Fever have signed guard Kamiah Smalls, the team's third-round pick in April's draft who was released in May without getting a chance to take part in training camp because that was canceled by the pandemic.
Smalls, a two-time Colonial Athletic Association player of the year for James Madison, must go through quarantine before she can play in the WNBA's bubble in Bradenton, Florida.
"We feel her energy and approach to the game will mesh well with our team," Catchings said, "and can't wait to get her on the court in a Fever jersey."
The Fever are also without guard Victoria Vivians, who has a torn meniscus in her knee, and forward Stephanie Mavunga, who has a broken nose. Both have left the bubble for surgery.
Vivians is not expected back this season, coach Marianne Stanley said.
Indiana also was without guard Tiffany Mitchell (wrist) in Thursday's upset victory over first-place Seattle. The Fever had just eight players available for that game. They signed forward Alisia Jenkins on Monday and hope to have her available soon after she clears quarantine.
The Fever (5-7) are currently in seventh place -- the top eight teams make the playoffs -- with 10 games remaining in the regular season. Indiana's last postseason appearance came in 2016; Catchings retired as a player after that season.
