Megan

McConnell

Mere hours after signing her contract with the Mercury, McConnell suffered a right knee injury during the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s loss to the Lynx. The good news is that, while she will miss time, the injury is not considered to be a season-ender. McConnell’s absence will not significantly impact fantasy basketball, but it does leave the Mercury light on bodies, with Kahleah Copper (knee), Alyssa Thomas (calf) and Natasha Mack (back) also out. The recently signed Haley Jones has played rotation minutes off the bench to give Phoenix a boost on the perimeter.

McConnell suffered a right knee injury during the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s loss to the Lynx, her first appearance for the team after she inked a rest-of-season contract earlier in the day. While the Mercury have not provided specifics on the severity of the injury or how much time she’ll miss, the rookie guard will not be available on Thursday. Haley Jones should play more minutes off the bench for the shorthanded Mercury, who are down four players due to injury.

McConnell left the game against the Lynx on Tuesday night with 1:43 left in the fourth quarter. After getting a steal and driving the ball the other way with 1:46 left in the fourth, McConnell was tripped up going the other way and banged her right knee against Lynx forward Alissa Pili. McConnell held onto her knee in pain and as a result had to be carried off the floor. The Mercury announced earlier on Tuesday that they signed McConnell to a rest of the season contract after previously waiving guard Sevgi Uzun. If this injury is as serious as it looked, Phoenix will have to rely upon more minutes from facilitating wing Haley Jones coming off the bench.

Off to their best start since 2014, the 5-2 Mercury will be without Thomas for a third straight game when they visit the Lynx on Tuesday. During his pregame availability, Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said he’s unsure when Thomas will resume basketball activities. Kitija Laksa has started Phoenix’s last two games and will retain that role. Also, the Mercury signed Megan McConnell to a contract to help with the numbers, as the team remains without Kahleah Copper (knee).

Waived toward the end of training camp after joining the Mercury as an undrafted free agent, McConnell is back in Phoenix. The rookie guard will provide additional depth on the perimeter, but fantasy managers should not expect too much regarding production.