What happened to Kate Martin? Aces rookie helped off court by teammates after lower leg injury (July 16)

Las Vegas Aces rookie Kate Martin exited their game early against the Chicago Sky on Tuesday after suffering what appeared to be a leg injury.

The incident happened with 1:19 left in the opening quarter as she was bringing down the ball. As she tried to get away from the defense of Chicago guard Dana Evans, she lost her footing and dropped to the floor, immediately grabbing her right leg.

Check out the play below:

Kate Martin's Aces teammates immediately huddled around her as she sprawled in pain on the floor, checking if she was okay and making sure she was being properly attended to. She was eventually helped off the court by her teammates.

Prior to getting hurt, the former Iowa Hawkeye standout played 2:19 minutes and had one defensive rebound.

Against the Sky, two-time defending WNBA champions Las Vegas (16-7) was looking to win its fifth straight. The Aces, however, were trailing host Chicago at the break, 44-37.

A'ja Wilson and Jackie Young topscored for the team in the first two quarters, with 11 points apiece, with Tiffany Hayes adding eight of her own.

The Sky (9-14), meanwhile, were paced by Chennedy Carter's 16 points. Marina Mabrey backstopped her with nine points. Chicago was trying to wiggle out of a two-game slide.

Kate Martin happy to be a role player for the Aces for now

Kate Martin has seen limited minutes in her first year with the Las Vegas Aces but is completely fine with it, channeling her focus instead to helping the team in whichever way possible.

Selected 18th overall in this year's WNBA Draft, the former Iowa standout is averaging 15 minutes a game but has been an important player in Las Vegas' rotation.

In an interview with The Gazette, the 23-year-old guard shared how it has been like for her in her rookie year in a team that is brimming with talent. She said she was fully aware of her role and how the Aces have welcomed her well.

Kate Martin said:

"They sad, 'You were drafted here for a reason. You don't have to be anybody else, you don't have to show out."

"There are amazing players, star players, Olympic players on this roster. My role is to be a role player, someone who is going to support her teammates every day."

In the ongoing WNBA season, Kate Martin has been averaging 3.6 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 22 games.