The 2026 WNBA season has largely been a waiting period for guard DiJonai Carrington. After spending over three months sidelined due to a left foot sprain, she is finally set to make her debut for the Chicago Sky. This week, Carrington resumed full practice following her absence from the first 27 games of the season.

Still classified as a game-day decision, Carrington might make her debut as early as Thursday’s matchup against the Connecticut Sun. “I learned a lot about myself and my resiliency,” Carrington shared. “I’m proud to be close to getting back on the floor.” Her journey back includes recovering from a foot sprain suffered during the 2025 playoffs, an initial surgery in October, and a subsequent procedure in April to remove hardware from her foot.

The three-month rehabilitation period planned Carrington’s return for after the All-Star break. The Sky’s schedule, with a five-game home stretch following the break, offers an ideal chance for her to reintegrate into play. This week provided an opportunity for full-court scrimmage with teammates, easing Carrington’s final steps towards game readiness. “Getting my teammates to play full court with me has been a blessing,” she noted.

However, Carrington’s recovery faced challenges due to the Sky’s incomplete training facility in Bedford Park, which remains unavailable this season. Training has occurred at various locations such as UIC, Loyola, and Wintrust Arena with limited rehab resources. Despite delays, Carrington coped, stating, “You can’t use that as an excuse. You have to show up and figure it out.” As a one-year signing, her return to free agency precedes access to the facilities.

The Sky signed Carrington with an understanding that her return would follow the All-Star break, possibly late August or September. Coach Tyler Marsh now faces incorporating her back into the team midseason, a challenge due to earlier injuries to key players like Courtney Vandersloot and Azurá Stevens. Vandersloot has recently returned, altering team dynamics and sidelining Skylar Diggins.

Marsh explained the difficulties of reintegrating Carrington: “It’s an adjustment, but we have a flexible, unselfish team ready to incorporate her skills.” Carrington aims to utilize relationships with teammates like Natasha Cloud and Vandersloot from offseason leagues. With a slight anxiety about her comeback, she is enthusiastic about returning to the court, whether Thursday, during the homestand, or against future matchups.

“I’m ready to face any challenge,” Carrington expressed confidently.