Basketball Injury Report: Sami Whitcomb Cleared for Mercury Return as Fever Duo Shakes Off Knocks

The midsummer basketball calendar is often defined by attrition, but the second week of July has delivered a wave of crucial medical clearances. Across both the WNBA and the NBA offseason, franchises are welcoming back key contributors and securing positive long-term prognoses for their stars. As teams navigate the physical toll of professional basketball, these timely health updates are providing immediate relief and reshaping roster strategies.

In Phoenix, the Mercury received a significant midseason boost on Friday as veteran guard Sami Whitcomb was officially cleared to return to the active roster. Whitcomb had been sidelined since the start of the 2026 campaign after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on her left knee in May. Her successful rehabilitation marks a major milestone for a Phoenix squad looking to solidify its playoff positioning.[1]

Whitcomb's activation provides immediate depth to a Phoenix backcourt rotation that has been heavily taxed during the early months of the season. While the Mercury coaching staff is expected to utilize her on a strict minutes restriction initially, her perimeter shooting and veteran presence offer a vital stabilizing force. As the regular-season schedule intensifies, integrating a fresh, experienced guard could pay massive dividends.[1]

Meanwhile, the Indiana Fever are navigating their own grueling stretch with positive news on the injury front. Star center Aliyah Boston, who missed Wednesday's matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks with a lower right leg injury, was cleared to return for Thursday's high-stakes contest against the Phoenix Mercury. Boston's quick turnaround restores a dominant interior presence for Indiana, where she has averaged 17.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.[4]

The Fever also dodged a bullet with guard Sophie Cunningham. After experiencing severe back spasms during pregame warmups on Wednesday, Cunningham managed to log 11 minutes and was subsequently cleared for Thursday's game. Her availability provided crucial wing depth while rookie Caitlin Clark sat out the second leg of the back-to-back for rest and injury management, underscoring the team's cautious approach to player health.[5]

The value of these positive updates is magnified against the backdrop of season-ending setbacks elsewhere in the league. The expansion Portland Fire announced Thursday that forward Sania Feagin will miss the remainder of the 2026 season with a torn ACL. However, the franchise confirmed they will keep her on her developmental contract to support her rehabilitation, ensuring she receives top-tier medical care despite the devastating injury.[3]

On the men's side, the New York Knicks received an encouraging timeline for their newly crowned champion and 2026 NBA Finals MVP, Jalen Brunson. After playing through significant discomfort during New York's historic title run, Brunson is scheduled to undergo a minor surgical procedure on his left forearm and wrist area. The proactive surgery is designed to clean up the wear and tear accumulated during the grueling postseason.[2]

The operation carries a recovery window of approximately two months, a highly favorable prognosis for the Knicks. Medical staff expect Brunson to be fully rehabilitated and cleared for basketball activities well ahead of the team's training camp in late September. By addressing the injury immediately in the offseason, New York ensures their franchise centerpiece will be completely healthy as they prepare to defend their NBA title.[2]