Las Vegas Aces rookie Kate Martin had her first WNBA setback Tuesday night when she suffered a lower right leg injury during the game against the Chicago Sky.

Aces teammates shielded cameras from Martin

The injury occurred in the first quarter when Martin fell awkwardly after making contact with defender Dana Evans.

The scene was tense as Martin screamed in pain on the court, prompting her teammates to surround her and shield her from view with towels.

The Aces’ MVP favorite, A’ja Wilson, spoke about the incident, emphasizing the team’s solidarity and concern for Martin’s well-being.

“She’s one of us,”Wilson said. “We try to protect her peace, her mental and just her emotion.”

Martin was taken off the court and did not return for the remainder of the game.

However, there was a positive sign as she walked onto the court before the second half, albeit with a slight limp, and received cheers from the fans at Michelob ULTRA Arena.

Olympic break will benefit Kate Martin

Despite the team’s efforts, the Aces couldn’t overcome the deficit and lost 93-85 to the Sky.

Chennedy Carter led all scorers with a season-high 34 points for Chicago, while Wilson contributed 28 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks, and three steals for Las Vegas.

Martin, a former Iowa standout and teammate of Caitlin Clark, has been a bright spot for the Aces this season.

Though averaging only 3.6 points and 2.0 rebounds in 14.3 minutes per game, her work ethic and presence have made her a fan favorite and a valued member of the team.

With the WNBA’s All-Star break and the upcoming Olympic Games, the Aces have a full month before their next game.

Martin’s next opportunity to play will be on August 17 against the New York Liberty, giving her time to recover and hopefully return to the court.

The Aces will use this period to regroup and prepare for the rest of the season, aiming to build on their current success as back-to-back champions and address areas of improvement highlighted by Tuesday’s loss which broke their four-game winning streak.