Actress Tears ACL in Competition Before WNBA All-Star Game: Report

The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game dazzled not only with the talent on the court but also with the star-studded audience at Phoenix’s Footprint Center. Familiar faces like Jason Sudeikis and Shannon Sharpe were among the attendees, but it was Aubrey Plaza who stole much of the attention.

The 40-year-old actress, alongside soccer legend Megan Rapinoe and WNBA icon Sue Bird, was seen courtside, enjoying the thrilling performances of players like Arike Ogunbowale, Breanna Stewart, Caitlin Clark, and Angel Reese. Plaza, however, also made headlines for reasons beyond her VIP status.

At one moment during the game, ESPN’s cameras captured Rapinoe and Bird assisting Plaza with a leg brace, hinting at an injury that quickly became a hot topic on social media platforms. To spice things up, Plaza showed up with an unexpected entourage: a pair of crutches.

According to an ESPN broadcast, Plaza, recognized for her roles in “Parks and Recreation” and “The White Lotus,” tore her ACL during a game of knockout at the Mercury’s new practice facility. The timing of the mishap remains unclear as she appeared to be without crutches at the previous night’s 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge.

A known basketball enthusiast, Plaza played in a rec league team called the Pistol Shrimps back in 2015, a journey documented in the 2016 film of the same name. She’s also a fervent Chris Bosh fan, famously willing to risk personal embarrassment for a photo with the former NBA star.

Her presence at the All-Star event was hardly surprising. Plaza is a familiar face at WNBA games, having attended the WNBA Finals last year to watch the Liberty face off against the Aces. True to form, she even took to the court for a few practice shots during that event.

While she has yet to officially confirm her injury, the broadcast report of another torn ACL—a repeat of an injury she sustained a few years ago during an attempt to join her sister’s rec league team under a different name—suggests a challenging road to recovery lies ahead. Despite this, Plaza appeared in good spirits throughout the All-Star showcase, buoyed by her past experience overcoming knee injuries.

Given her resilience and passion for the game, fans can be optimistic that she will make her way back onto the court eventually. Her commitment to basketball is unwavering, and her love for the sport shines through each time she makes an appearance, whether as a spectator or participant.

Source: ESPN