Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne exited Thursday’s game against the Dallas Wings midway through the third quarter. It was her third game back since returning from a 22-month layoff. She was later ruled out the remainder of the game.
Following the 82-77 loss, Mystics head coach Mike Thibault said the two-time WNBA MVP was pulled out of the game for precautionary reasons, according to Tyler Byrum of NBC Sports Washington. Something didn’t feel right after a play and the Mystics didn’t want to risk it.
Delle Donne returned to the lineup Sunday after being out of action for 682 days. She previously hadn’t played since October 10, 2019 when the Mystics clinched the WNBA championship. She underwent two back surgeries that led to her missing the entire 2020 season and the first 21 games this season.
Through her first two games, Delle Donne averaged 17.0 points and 4.0 rebounds and was 50% shooting from the field as well as from three-point land. Thursday against the Wings, Delle Donne was limited to 12 minutes and seven points.
Earlier Thursday, the Mystics announced leading scorer Tina Charles is expected to miss three-to-five games with a glute strain. So there will be fingers crossed Delle Donne’s exit is rather minor than a setback. Washington is 9-15 and one game back of the eighth seed for the playoffs.
