Azurá Stevens Returns to Chicago Sky: A Journey Through Injury and Recovery

Azurá Stevens, a veteran forward for the Chicago Sky, experienced significant frustration in the early weeks of the season. Unable to play due to a bone bruise sustained at the end of the Unrivaled season, Stevens was sidelined for several months. The injury severely impacted her free-agency period and halted her basketball activities.

Stevens’s discontent grew as she watched her teammates take the court earlier this month. Her long-time teammate, Courtney Vandersloot, understood her struggle. Vandersloot herself was recovering from a torn ACL, her first major injury in 16 years. She advised Stevens to persevere, assuring her that recovery was closer than it seemed.

Despite the advice, Stevens found little comfort while sitting on the bench during the season opener. The monotonous nature of rehab added to her frustration. However, once Stevens returned to the court at Wintrust Arena, she was reminded of her team’s championship victory and the dedicated fans. Vandersloot’s advice finally made sense.

Perseverance Through Injury

Stevens acknowledged the challenges of daily rehabilitation, emphasizing the need to remain committed to achieving her goals. Her career in the WNBA has been marred by injuries, each contributing to a pattern of limited play. A significant achievement last season was playing every regular-season game with the Los Angeles Sparks, averaging 28.4 minutes over 44 games. However, injury struck again during the Unrivaled season.

Bone bruises differ from other injuries, not indicating knee fragility but reflecting impact severity. Healing a bone bruise requires time, alongside supplements and strengthening exercises. Stevens used this recovery period to rest and spend time with family, even taking a vacation to Jamaica.

Enhanced Recovery Support

Throughout her career, Stevens has become adept at recovering from injuries. The process improved significantly in Chicago, where the Sky revamped their approach to player health. The team hired Jess Cohen as director of health and human performance and expanded the staff to include athletic trainers and a massage therapist.

For Stevens, this support system represented a substantial improvement. She no longer needed to seek external resources for rehab. The team’s new downtown training facility at UIC provided convenient access to third-party care when necessary. Staff members like Cohen brought NBA-level experience and resources, boosting her confidence in their expertise.

“They’re not just winging it,” Stevens said. “It’s comforting having the new and improved staff.”

Challenges and Optimism

Returning to the court with a strict minutes restriction, Stevens faces ongoing challenges. Currently limited to 16 minutes per game, she must optimize her performance in short spurts. Coach Tyler Marsh manages her playing time carefully to avoid overworking her.

“You have to lock into the small details and get every minute right,” Stevens remarked, focusing on efficiency.

Both Marsh and Stevens are optimistic the restrictions are temporary. The Sky aims to gradually increase Stevens’s minutes to 25-28 per game, though no timeline is specified. Stevens remains determined, knowing she will eventually return to full strength, ready to contribute to her team’s success.