Aces rookie Kate Martin quickly emerged as one of the WNBA’s best stories of the season, but an injury could cast a shadow over her banner 2024.

The former Iowa star went from a player who wasn’t sure she would be drafted at all to a rotation piece for the defending champions. Even in a relatively small role, Martin has gotten teammates and fans to rally around her after an impressive college career next to Caitlin Clark with the Hawkeyes.

In a potentially devastating moment Tuesday night, that support remained more evident than ever.

Martin went down in the first quarter of the Aces’ 93-85 loss to the Sky, prompting her teammates to immediately surround her and try to lift her spirits.

Here are the latest updates on Martin’s status ahead of the WNBA’s Olympic break
Martin appeared to suffer a noncontact lower leg injury in the first quarter of Tuesday’s matchup with the Sky. She went down in a heap and was helped back to the locker room, though she appeared to be putting some weight on her lower right leg.

The 24-year-old guard missed the remainder of the game, though she did return to the bench in the second half.

Martin’s Aces teammates surrounded her almost instantly after the injury, shielding her as she collected herself and offering their support as she was helped off the court.

If Martin is dealing with an ankle sprain and not a more serious ailment, the injury would come at just about the most ideal time possible. The WNBA is about to take its four-week Olympic break, and the Aces don’t play again for another 32 days. Las Vegas, along with Martin’s many fans from her days at Iowa, will hope it’s not anything more severe for the rookie.

Martin entered Tuesday averaging 3.6 points and 2.0 rebounds over 14.3 minutes per game through 22 WNBA games. The 24-year-old is shooting 35% from the field, including just under 40% from 3-point range.

Martin’s path to consistent minutes in Las Vegas appeared difficult when she was selected No. 18 overall in April’s draft. Expectations changed quickly when she played more than 20 minutes in four of her first five games, though her role has become a bit more limited in recent weeks.

As the Aces chase a third consecutive championship, Martin might be just as important to the Aces off the court as she is on the court given the way her teammates have rallied around her. The franchise will hope Martin’s injury isn’t something that will affect her status once the WNBA returns from its break in August.