“Obviously the timing (stinks). There’s only a couple games left in our season. You get to the Finals and you don’t get this time back. So it sucks in that way,” were Chelsea Gray‘s words after getting her left foot injured in Game 3 of the 2023 WNBA Finals. Consequently, she couldn’t move much for the next few possessions and the Aces lost the matchup at 87-73 against the New York Liberty. Despite this, the Aces managed to win the championship for the second time in a row.
It has been around seven months since then that Gray hasn’t had the opportunity to step up on the court. She is yet to play her first game in this year’s regular season. However, there is no set date as to when she will return, but it will be soon, more so, with an interesting role to play this time!
Is Chelsea Gray coming back from injury?
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Yes, Chelsea Gray will be back, but not anytime soon. “We’ll see how practices go. You don’t want to play when you’re rushing yourself back into shape. So, I don’t really have a timetable. But I’ve seen [suggestions] that I’m out for the year, and that’s just not true,” the guard confirmed before the Aces’ 89-82 win against the LA Sparks.
She further added, “I’m good. We’re just taking our time with it. It’s a long season. And if I’m lucky enough to be selected for the Olympics, it’s longer,” indicating her possibility of making it to the national team roster, which she has.
As far as the regular season is concerned, it is likely that she might come back to play after the Summer Olympic break. However, Gray was making some time at the USA Basketball camps while recovering in rehab. The 2020 Olympic gold medalist has been selected to again represent the country at the international stage. The Games are going to be held from July 26th to August 11th and she hopes to get better by the time the moment arrives but she isn’t in a rush.
“Let’s be smart about this.’ I don’t feel I need to rush. Am I anxious? Heck, yeah, because I don’t like sitting on the sidelines. But I understand there’s a bigger purpose,” Gray talked about the point of agreement she arrived along with Coach Hammon. Moving on, with the official disclosure of the national team roster, USA Basketball presented her and her teammates with a special surprise.
First look at Gray’s Olympic jersey
This Tuesday brought memorable moments for Chelsea Gray and her Aces teammates, A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young, as the USA Basketball unveiled their jerseys for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Expressing her gratitude after she saw her Olympic jersey, Chelsea Gray teared up and counting her blessings, she remarked, “It’s a blessing. This was always the dream, just didn’t know if it was possible so I’m excited.”
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The USA Women’s Basketball team has won 7 consecutive gold medals and is aiming to bring home their eighth gold in the 2024 Olympic Games. Previously in the Tokyo Olympics, Gray contributed towards winning the gold medal. And since her injury, she hasn’t set foot on the court, so she is super pumped to dominate the game on the international level.
Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.
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