On Wednesday, the Canberra Capitals announced that center Lauren Jackson will sit out the remainder of the 2014-15 WNBL season in Australia due to ongoing knee injuries. Jackson played six games in the 2014-15 WNBL season, where she averaged 13.3 points and 7.8 rebounds.
Capitals head coach Carrie Graf said the following in a press release:
Lauren had MRI scans done yesterday and unfortunately they’ve revealed further damage to her knee so she will undergo more surgery and won’t be able to take any further part in this season. Obviously she’s disappointed, and we’re all disappointed, but Lauren needs to do what’s best for her health.
She has been playing in pain since she re-joined her UC Capitals teammates in round 10, she was committed to playing out the current season but unfortunately her recovery hasn’t gone to plan.
Jackson also added:
I’m very disappointed to have to miss the rest of the season, I really enjoyed getting back on court doing what I love to do. It’s been a long road to recovery and this is another small setback. I just have to take things one day at a time.
The three-time WNBA MVP for the Seattle Storm has had a rough road to recovery over the last several seasons and has missed both the 2013 and 2014 seasons due to knee and leg injuries. In addition, she also missed the 2014 FIBA World Championships for the Australian Opals national team last fall. This latest setback unfortunately continues that trend.
From a WNBA standpoint, though the Seattle Storm may not want to see anyone injured, at the same time, this injury also is further proof that their youth movement is the right way to go. Sure, there may be some Storm fans who still want to see her play in green and gold one last time, but quite frankly, it's time to cut the cord and move on from her.
With the Storm in rebuild mode and with Jackson looking less likely to return to the Storm with injury setbacks, I wonder how this sits with Sue Bird...