The Sky training was abruptly cancelled on Tuesday morning.

According to the team, several players felt ill, which led to the last-minute cancellation. On the advice of medical staff, several players wore masks at the Sachs Recreation Center.

According to general manager Jeff Pagliocca, several players have been tested for COVID-19. When the Sky injury report was released later in the day, guard Chennedy Carter was the only player – other than center Elizabeth Williams (knee) – listed as out due to health and safety protocols.

Carter’s absence means the Sky will face the Mystics on Wednesday without their leading scorer. It’s unclear if she will be available for their game against the Fever on Friday or their two away games against the Lynx on Sunday and the Aces on Tuesday.

In March, the Centers for Disease Control updated its longstanding recommendation that people who test positive for COVID isolate themselves for at least five days. The CDC now says people can return to normal activities if their symptoms are mild and improving, provided it has been at least one day since the last fever.

In 2020, the WNBA postponed Game 1 of the semifinals between the Storm and Lynx after the Storm failed to provide clear COVID results. Since then, the league has not postponed a single game due to COVID.

The Sky have suffered three straight losses, most recently against the Aces on Sunday, on a layup as MVP candidate A’ja Wilson played on the road against the Wings on Tuesday. When asked if her team would have to take a COVID test before the game, coach Becky Hammon told reporters that this was the first she had heard of an illness.

The last time the players’ union and the league negotiated COVID protocols was in 2022. Under those rules, players are only required to be tested for the virus if they show symptoms. Players can return to play with two negative tests at least 24 hours apart.

Since then, the WNBA has implemented only minimal guidelines, a league source said.

As of August 16, the CDC estimated that COVID infections are increasing or likely to increase in 27 states. Illinois was one of the states where the CDC classified the number of cases as increasing. The Biden administration recently announced that it will resume sending free at-home COVID-19 tests by mail. In late September, households will be able to order up to four rapid tests at COVIDtests.gov.

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration approved two updated COVID vaccines to combat the latest strains of the virus. CVS and Walgreens are taking appointments ahead of the vaccines’ release, with Walgreens saying it will have a vaccine available on Sept. 6.

The Sky absolutely have to win the game against the Mystics because they have a one-game lead over the Dream in the battle for the eighth and final playoff spot. Without Carter, however, it will be a tough fight.

Coach Teresa Weatherspoon has not said who will replace Carter in the starting lineup, but based on previous rotations, it will likely be defender Rachel Banham.