The Las Vegas Aces' Dearica Hamby, the WNBA's Sixth Woman of the Year the past two seasons, is not expected to play again this season because of a right knee injury.
Aces coach Bill Laimbeer said in a pregame Zoom call that Hamby, 26, was definitely out for Sunday's semifinal Game 4 against the Connecticut Sun and probably would miss the rest of the playoffs. The No. 1-seeded Aces trail 2-1 in the best-of-five series and would be eliminated with a loss Sunday.
Hamby, a 6-foot-3 forward, played every game of the regular season, averaging 13.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 steals. She played in the Aces' three previous semifinal games, averaging 8.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Laimbeer said he believed the injury occurred in the first quarter of Game 3 on Thursday, but Hamby continued to play. She was in for 23 minutes but was limited to four points and no rebounds or assists.
"All the heart in the world, she played with it the rest of the way and played really hard," Laimbeer said. "But it's clear that she's unable to play."
Laimbeer said the Aces will especially miss Hamby on defense, and they'll need even more from forward/guard Angel McCoughtry and guard Jackie Young to replace her offensively.
"They're the ones who can get their own shots," Laimbeer said. "We need creators, and those are the two creators. And don't be surprised if [guard Danielle Robinson] jumps up in there, also."
