Basketball Injury Report: Dana Evans Makes Triumphant Aces Return as College Stars Eye Comebacks

The mid-summer basketball calendar is often defined by grueling rehabilitation schedules and cautious optimism, but the third week of July 2026 has delivered a welcome wave of positive injury updates across both the professional and collegiate ranks.[1][2]

The most emotional return of the weekend unfolded in Las Vegas, where Aces guard Dana Evans stepped back onto the hardwood for the first time since suffering a severe left leg injury during the Unrivaled offseason league.[1][7]

Evans, who sat out the entire first half of the 2026 WNBA season, subbed into Sunday's game against the Indiana Fever with 2:29 remaining in the first quarter. The Michelob Ultra Arena crowd erupted in a standing ovation as public address announcer Chet Buchanan welcomed her back to the floor.[1]

"It feels so good to be back," Evans remarked after the game, noting that the extended absence made the game slow down for her mentally. "I'm so blessed to be back out there with my teammates. It feels like it's been two years." She tallied eight points in 18 minutes of action, providing an immediate spark off the bench.[1][7]

While Evans is shaking off the rust in the WNBA, the college basketball landscape received major boosts with two standout big men confirming their health for the upcoming 2026-27 season.[3][4]

Texas Tech officially announced the return of All-American forward JT Toppin, who had his stellar junior campaign cut short by a torn ACL in February. In a social media video that simply read "26-27," Toppin was shown donning his Red Raiders jersey, signaling his commitment to return to Lubbock.[2][3]

Before the injury, the 6-foot-9 Toppin was dominating the Big 12, averaging 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. His return instantly elevates Texas Tech's ceiling and provides a massive boost to his own NBA Draft stock for 2027, proving that modern ACL recoveries can preserve elite athleticism.[2][3]

Similarly, Towson men's basketball received excellent news regarding rising junior center Caleb Embeya. After tearing his right meniscus in the CAA tournament semifinals in March, Embeya avoided a worst-case scenario and is already practicing fully with the Tigers.[4]

Embeya credited the Towson training staff for his rapid two-month recovery timeline. Wearing only a protective leg sleeve, the 6-foot-10 big man is reportedly a "full go" and has been the team's best rebounder during summer workouts, completely moving past the spring setback.[4]

Back in the WNBA, not all updates are immediate returns, but progress remains steady. Chicago Sky star Skylar Diggins continues to rehab from an October 2025 right knee surgery. Though she has missed the team's last three games and remains without a firm timetable, Diggins emphasized that she is "progressing day by day" and avoiding setbacks.[6]

Meanwhile, the Toronto Tempo are breathing a sigh of relief after forward Nyara Sabally suffered a scary rib injury late in Friday's game against the Atlanta Dream. Sabally absorbed hard contact from Angel Reese and had to be shielded by teammates before walking off the court.[5]

Despite the frightening visual, Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello expressed optimism, stating that while Sabally took a "hard hit," the team is hopeful the injury is nothing too serious. For a league currently navigating a midseason injury crunch, avoiding a long-term absence is a victory in itself.[5]