On Tuesday, July 16, WNBA rookie Kate Martin suffered an unfortunate injury during the Las Vegas Aces game against the Chicago Sky. During the first quarter, Kate slipped and had to be assisted off the court and taken to the locker room. Although she managed to return to the bench later, she was ruled out for the rest of the game.
Post-game, Aces head coach Becky Hammon provided limited information about the injury, revealing only that Kate had sustained a lower right leg injury. The fact that it was a non-contact injury has led to considerable concern among fans.
In the days following the incident, Kate Martin’s father, Matt Martin, spoke with KCCI Des Moines to offer an update on her condition. He revealed that Kate had bruised her Achilles tendon. He also pointed out the fortunate timing of the injury, as it coincides with the WNBA’s month-long break for the All-Star break and the 2024 Summer Olympics. This break provides Kate with ample time to rest and undergo any necessary physical therapy before the season resumes.
The injury, while not as severe as a tear or rupture of the Achilles tendon, which could have sidelined her for the entire WNBA season, is still a matter of concern. A ruptured Achilles tendon typically requires 6 to 12 months for full recovery. Although Kate’s injury is a bruise rather than a tear, it can still be quite painful and limit movement temporarily. The recovery time for a bruised Achilles tendon varies; if the bruising is mild, she could recover within a few days or weeks with appropriate treatment, such as RICE therapy (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). However, more severe bruising may necessitate several weeks of recovery.
