It’s almost as if Sandy Brondello can’t catch a break. The Opals entered the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup already dealing with the shock of replacing their captain, Sami Whitcomb, at the last minute. Now, their World Cup campaign has taken another damaging turn with concerning news emerging about one of their biggest stars, Alanna Smith.

In a statement released by Basketball Australia on Wednesday, the Dallas Wings star has been officially ruled out for the remainder of the World Cup.

“Alanna Smith will be unavailable for the remainder of the FIBA Women’s World Cup to prioritise rehabilitation of a lower leg injury,” the statement read. “The injury occurred late in the second quarter against Puerto Rico after a defensive contest. Smith was subbed immediately as a precaution and did not return.

A period of rest and testing has been provided since, but ultimately a decision to withdraw Smith is necessary.”

The injury happened on September 4, 2026, during the second quarter of Australia’s opening 70-54 group-stage win over Puerto Rico. Alanna Smith had been dominating the game up to that point, putting up 10 points and eight rebounds in just 12 minutes. However, after battling for a contested defensive rebound, she ended up limping off the court with an injury and did not return to the game again. 

Basketball Australia initially categorized her second-half absence as precautionary lower-leg tightness. However, further evaluations led the national team to announce on Wednesday that she will now have to sit out the rest of the tournament to focus on rehabilitation.

With Sami Whitcomb already absent before the tournament even began, the road ahead for Australia was already more difficult than it should be. They’ve, in fact, lost their last group-stage game against Belgium after defeating Turkey 87-71 in their second game.

They’ll now face Italy in the next round, and that could be a much tougher test than it looks on paper.

Italy held Team USA to just 29% from the field and a brutal 8% from three in that 55-52 loss. The Americans also went just 10-of-35 in the paint, missing layups and other shots they’d normally knock down with ease. Facing Italy without Smith will demand a collective step up from the entire Opals roster.

But Sandy Brondello still has a few stars she can rely on. Ezi Magbegor is leading the way for the Opals, averaging 15.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Las Vegas Aces forward Steph Talbot (14.7 points) and Seattle Storm guard Jade Melbourne (9.3 points) have also been key contributors.

That may be enough for Australia to move forward, but the more unsettling aspect of the situation is that there is currently no official timeline for Smith’s return. So while Australia will be navigating the knockout rounds shorthanded, the Dallas Wings will also be facing an unclear picture regarding her availability as the WNBA playoff race enters its most critical stretch.

Smith’s Injury Could Be A Major Blow For Paige Bueckers & Co.

When Alanna Smith signed a three-year, $3.7 million max contract with the Dallas Wings in the offseason after leaving the Minnesota Lynx, expectations were sky-high. And Paige Bueckers, for one, was overjoyed to see the veteran forward join her in Dallas.

While on vacation, she celebrated Smith’s arrival on Instagram, putting together a compilation of her new teammate’s reels that eventually cut to a video of Bueckers jumping into a pool. “I can’t believe this is my life,” Bueckers said, as per Sportskeeda. “Smiling through it all. We was in the trenches. We here!”

Unfortunately for Paige and the Wings, Smith’s first season in Dallas hasn’t gone according to plan. The reigning Co-Defensive Player of the Year has been battling injuries throughout the campaign, forcing her into a more limited role than expected. She first missed time after entering concussion protocol in June, before a right-leg injury sidelined her again in July.

But in the midst of that, she had still managed to contribute for the Wings, averaging 6.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists across 32 games while playing 17.9 minutes per game.

For the Wings, heading into the WNBA playoffs for the first time since 2023, Smith’s availability after the World Cup break could prove pivotal.

They’re already without Azzi Fudd, who was ruled out for the season after suffering a right knee injury. And while her scoring will certainly be missed, Fudd’s defensive presence was just as important to the Wings.

She led the team with 2.5 stocks (steals plus blocks), establishing herself as a defensive playmaker who can end possessions and turn them into quick offense. Her 1.7 steals per game are the most among rookies and tied for third in the WNBA, according to Sports Illustrated.

With Jessica Shepard and Aziaha James also having spent time on the sidelines this season, the Wings can’t afford any more setbacks. If they want to make noise in the postseason, they’ll need Smith and the rest of their core healthy.

As of right now, Alanna Smith has not made a public comment or personal statement regarding the lower-leg injury that ended her World Cup run. But what appears to be within her control now is to focus on her medical rehabilitation and hopefully recover before the WNBA break ends on September 17.

Even if she isn’t ready to return by September 17, the Wings will still have four regular-season games left before the playoffs begin. That gives Smith some extra time to get back to full strength and, hopefully, be ready when the postseason arrives.

In the meantime, Smith will be supporting the Opals from the sideline. Hopefully, Australia won’t miss her too much against Italy. But replacing a player of her calibre in a knockout game will never be easy.