Sun's Phillips tears ACL
Published on January 21, 2007 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Connecticut Sun News Release
UNCASVILLE, CT. (January 21, 2007) - Connecticut Sun point guard Erin Phillips suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee Saturday while competing in a Women's National Basketball League game in Australia.
The 21-year-old Australian was playing for the WNBL's Adelaide Lightning when she suffered the injury with about two minutes left in the third quarter of a loss to the Canberra Capitals. She was scheduled to undergo surgery tonight (Monday morning in Australia), and could be out for upwards of eight months.
"Obviously, we're very concerned, first and foremost for her well being," Connecticut Sun General Manager Chris Sienko said Sunday night. "Erin played a key role in our success last year, and she was expected to be a major contributor for us this season."
Phillips was one of just three Sun players to appear in every game during the 2006 season, making 13 starts. She finished the season ranked seventh in the WNBA in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.1), and finished second on the team in total assists (80). She had a career-high 19 points against Washington (7/25). Phillips stepped into a starting role when Nykesha Sales missed 12 games (7/8-8/6) with a sore Achilles tendon.
"It's a devastating loss, she will be hard to replace," Sun coach Mike Thibault said on Sunday night. "She was a big factor in our success last year. She started when Nykesha (Sales) was hurt, and played well during our (12-game) winning streak. I was looking forward to her making another jump in progress this year. I guess we'll have to wait another year."
Phillips was averaging a league-leading 4.9 assists per game for Adelaide, and she had been named Player of the Month for November. Phillips was a member of the 2006 Australian National team.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from January 21, 2007
- Sun's Phillips tears ACL - Connecticut Sun
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