Concerns became reality. Yongin Samsung Life Insurance, whose main guards Lee Joo-yeon (25) and Kiana Smith (24) both left due to knee injuries, is in great turmoil.
Samsung Life Insurance suffered a major power loss due to guard Yoon Ye-bin’s ‘season out’ injury even before the opening of the regular league of ‘Shinhan Bank SOL 2022-2023 Women’s Professional Basketball’. Despite the bad news, they did well, but on December 26 last year, during the game against Woori Bank in Asan, Lee Joo-yeon and Smith were judged to be out of the season due to knee injuries, and a dark shadow was cast. Afterwards, it was a fatal blow to give up all three matches, including losing to the lowest ranked Bucheon Hanawon Q and the fifth ranked Cheongju KB Stars. It is still in 3rd place (11-9), but the gap with 4th place Incheon Shinhan Bank (10-9) is only 0.5 games. After the return of Park Ji-soo of the National Treasure Center, the gap with 5th place KB Stars (7-13), which won 3 consecutive wins, also decreased to 4 games. 안전놀이터
The absence of the guards is painful, but the injury of center Bae Hye-yoon (34), who has played the role of an ace, is more concerning. Bae Hye-yoon is the nucleus of power, recording 19.13 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists, averaging 32 minutes and 17 seconds in 16 games this season. In a home game against KB Stars on the 25th, where he could not play right away, Samsung Life Insurance lost 75-79. Lee Joo-yeon and Smith’s void were filled by Shin I-seul and Jo Soo-ah, so Bae Hye-yoon’s void felt all the more regrettable.
Two of the last three games Samsung Life played without Lee Joo-yeon and Smith were within 5 points. The injury void of the guards was filled beyond expectations. However, it is not easy if you are pushed from the height, which is your strong point. If you can’t make sure you catch the game you need to catch, you have to fight hard until the last minute. This is why Bae Hye-yoon’s normal operation is so desperate.
Fortunately, it is expected that he will be able to participate in the away game against KB Stars on the 28th. An official from Samsung Life Insurance said, “(Bae Hye-yoon) has degenerative arthritis, but because she overworked herself, the water filled up.” She will be able to compete in the next game,” he explained.