ATLANTA ź?? The Atlanta Dreamź??s Shalee Lehning underwent successful surgery on her left shoulder, the team announced today. A full recovery is expected, but Lehning will not be active during the playoffs.
Lehning, a Sublette native and former Kansas State University All-American, suffered the injury (separated shoulder) during the second quarter of the Dreamź??s regular season finale against the Washington Mystics in a midcourt collision with Mystics guard Lindsey Harding as both players went after a loose ball.
A 5-9 guard, Lehning assumed the starting point guard position in July and started 20 of 34 games for the Dream. In her rookie season, she averaged 3.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. She led all rookies in assists per game and ranked 10th in the league in that category. Lehning was a second-round draft choice (25th overall) by the Dream this season.
The Dream opens the 2009 WNBA Playoffs tonight against the defending champions, the Detroit Shock. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Palace of Auburn Hills and will be nationally televised on ESPN2. The Dream will return home to Gwinnett Arena for Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) on Friday and Sunday.
