Chicago Sky center Elizabeth Williams will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus. The injury is a significant setback for the Sky, as Williams is a key defensive presence and veteran leader on the team. Before the injury, she played a crucial role in the team’s interior defense, rebounding, and shot-blocking capabilities.
Williams’ absence leaves the Sky short-handed in the frontcourt as they push for playoff positioning. The team will now have to rely on other players to step up in her absence, including increased contributions from frontcourt teammates to fill the void left by Williams.
Elizabeth Williams, a former WNBA All-Star, was averaging 10.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.7 blocks in nine starts for the Chicago Sky before suffering a torn meniscus that will sideline her for the rest of the season.
Throughout her career, Williams has posted averages of 8.6 points and 5.9 rebounds across 287 games (235 starts) with the Connecticut Sun, Atlanta Dream, Washington Mystics, and Chicago Sky. A formidable shot-blocker, she ranks 10th in WNBA history with 445 career blocks.
Drafted fourth overall by the Sun in 2015, Williams quickly established herself as a key player in the league, earning the WNBA Most Improved Player award in 2016 and an All-Star nod in 2017. She was also recognized for her character on and off the court, receiving the league’s Sportsmanship Award in 2023.
The typical recovery timeline for a torn meniscus, especially following surgery, can vary widely depending on the severity of the tear, the type of surgery performed (partial meniscectomy or meniscus repair), and the individual’s response to rehabilitation.
For **partial meniscectomy** (where the damaged part of the meniscus is removed), recovery usually takes about **4 to 6 weeks**. However, if the surgery involved a **meniscus repair** (stitching the tear), recovery can be more extensive, often taking **3 to 6 months** or longer.
Given that Elizabeth Williams will miss the remainder of the season, it’s likely that her recovery will lean towards the longer side, with the focus on a full rehabilitation to ensure she returns at full strength for the next season. The exact timeline will depend on her progress in rehab and the recommendations from her medical team.