Amazingly, Washington Mystics star forward Elena Delle Donne may have escaped serious injury, when she hyperextended her left knee late in Tuesday’s Game 2 loss against the Atlanta Dream. The Mystics announced Delle Donne suffered a bone bruise in her knee and is listed as questionable for Friday’s Game 3 of their best-of-five WNBA Semifinals series.
OFFICIAL: Elena Delle Donne Injury Update.
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— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) August 29, 2018
The diagnosis has to be considered the best possible outcome for her and the Mystics long-term that goes beyond this season’s playoff run. Delle Donne is unequivocally the Mystics’ heart and soul. Having the possibility of her returning in the series even if not for Game 3 gives the team hope going forward and is sure to lift spirits within the organization.
Delle Donne was injured while driving to the lane with just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Washington was leading 70-68 when she crumbled to the floor in pain. The complexion of the game altered immediately and the Dream took control late to winn78-75.
Prior to Tuesday’s dreadful turn of events, the Mystics looked the strongest of any of the final four teams remaining in the WNBA Playoffs. They had won eight of their last nine games to close the regular season and downed last year’s runner-up, the Los Angeles Sparks, 96-64 in the second round of the playoffs to advance to the semifinals for the second consecutive season. They took control of Game 1 against the Dream in Atlanta and was well on their way doing the same for Game 2, as Delle Donne led the charge with 27 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists.
Now, with the travel day in between Washington will have to hope for a speedy recover for Delle Donne with an injury that looked much worse at initial look.
