DiJonai Carrington is out for the start of the Minnesota Lynx’s WNBA playoff series against the Phoenix Mercury, with the guard unable to go because of a foot injury.
The Lynx announced the news on Saturday, Sept. 20. Carrington was the only player listed as out or questionable on the team’s availability report ahead of Sunday’s Game 1 at the Target Center.
The injury appeared to happen Wednesday during Minnesota’s 75-74 win over the Golden State Valkyries, a victory that propelled the Lynx to the semifinals.
Per ESPN, Carrington was present Friday at a press conference to announce that Lynx forward Alanna Smith had been named Defensive Player of the Year (an award she shared with Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson). As of Saturday evening, her status for Game 2, scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 23, is unknown.
Carrington is a key defensive player for the Lynx and was named to the WNBA’s All-Defensive First Team in 2024. She was viewed as a vital addition late in the trade window, joining Minnesota from the Dallas Wings in a trade that sent Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson and a second-round pick to Texas.
However, the 27-year-old missed time down the stretch, sitting out the final four games of the regular season because of a shoulder injury. Carrington returned for the first round of the playoffs and scored 11 points off the bench in a dramatic Game 2 win over Golden State. Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve used only eight players in that game but might have to look down the bench to make up for Carrington’s absence.
DiJonai Carrington statistics
DiJonai Carrington averaged 8.6 points per game during the regular season, along with 2.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals. During the playoffs, she averaged 8.5 points, 1.0 rebounds and 0.5 steals per game.
Minnesota Lynx vs. Phoenix Mercury: WNBA playoffs schedule
Home teams listed first. All times Eastern.
Game 1: Lynx vs. Mercury — Sunday, Sept. 21, 5 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo
Game 2: Lynx vs. Mercury — Tuesday, Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo
Game 3: Mercury vs. Lynx — Friday, Sept. 26, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2, Fubo
Game 4: Mercury vs. Lynx — Sunday, Sept. 28, Time TBD | Broadcast details TBD
Game 5: Lynx vs. Mercury — Tuesday, Sept. 30, Time TBD | Broadcast details TBD
Watch Lynx vs. Mercury Game 1 on Fubo (free trial)