Why is Satou Sabally not playing vs the Minnesota Lynx? Latest on the Dallas Wings star

The Dallas Wings will be facing the Minnesota Lynx on Monday night at the Target Center but they will be without Satou Sabally. The Wings are currently on a seven-game losing streak with their latest loss (85-67) coming against the Connecticut Sun on Friday.

Sabally hasn't played a game this season and the impact of her absence is evident in her team's overall performance. The German international suffered a shoulder injury while playing for her national team in the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament. Sabally had to undergo surgery, which has sidelined her from basketball since and she is not expected back for a few months yet.

The two-time WNBA All-Star has struggled with injuries since being drafted second overall in 2020. Issues related to concussions, her back, knee, Achilles and ankle have kept Sabally off the court for significant periods of time.

In 2023, Satou Sabally was a dominant force for the Wings as she was able to avoid injuries. She averaged 18.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4,4 assists per game, carrying her team to the post-season where the Wings won their first playoff series since 2009.

They were, however, eliminated in the semi-finals by the eventual champions, the Las Vegas Aces. The Dallas Wings' run last season was seen as an extremely positive indication of their future with Sabally. Her efforts won her the WNBA Most Improved Award and All-WNBA first-team honors, while she finished in fifth in the MVP voting.

When will Satou Sabally return?

Satou Sabally is expected to return in August after the Olympic Break. Wings' head coach Latricia Tramell talked to reporters on Sabally's case and confirmed her expected return as being after the Olympic Break.

Wings CEO Greg Bibb revealed that Sabally will be cleared to play around the Paris Olympics.

"She's on schedule with her rehab," Bibb said, as per CBS. "We expect Satou to come back around the Olympic break, be ready to compete for Germany in the Olympics, and then see her for sure in a Dallas Wings jersey over the final 15 games of the regular-season post-Olympic break."

Having their star forward back would be a big boost to the Wings and would help them out massively in the final 15 games of the season.