Sky first-round pick Katie Lou Samuelson out indefinitely with hand injury

The Sky’s bench took another hit this week.

Forward Katie Lou Samuelson is out indefinitely with a hand injury, the team announced Monday. She’s expected to have more tests and will miss the game Tuesday against the Mercury at Wintrust Arena.

Samuelson, who was selected fourth overall in the draft this year, injured her hand while taking a charge in the first half of the win over the Storm on Sunday.

Coach James Wade said it’s an unfortunate setback for Samuelson, who had her best performance of the season in the seven minutes she played Sunday.

“The thing is, we felt like she was turning the corner,” said Wade, who doesn’t know when Samuelson will return. “But when she gets back, she’ll be ready to contribute.”

Samuelson — who has battled injuries throughout her career, including two foot injuries at UConn — said she still is working on finding her role with the team.

“There are going to be ups and downs throughout the season,” said Samuelson, who’s averaging 2.3 points. “I’m trying to not take everything to heart or bring you down if you have a bad game or you don’t play a game.

“Wade is definitely challenging me. I’m trying to figure out myself, how to incorporate my game into that because I’m not necessarily a duck-in post player, so being able to play my game while being at the four.”

Without Samuelson, guard Jamierra Faulkner (knee) and center Astou Ndour (overseas commitment), the Sky are looking to potentially add another player, Wade said.

“We’re probably in that phase looking at people we can potentially bring in,” he said. “That said, we feel good with the team we have. It’s time for the other bench players to step up.”