Delle Donne, Ogwumike return after long injury layoffs
NEW YORK (AP) » Elena Delle Donne and Chiney Ogwumike will have a major impact on the Washington Mystics and Los Angeles Sparks playoff chances now that they’re back on the basketball court.
The two finally returned after long layoffs due to injuries.
Delle Donne missed nearly two years with a back injury and COVID-19 precautions. The Washington Mystics star played in her first game in 682 days this past Sunday. The former MVP last played in the decisive Game 5 of the WNBA Finals in 2019 that gave the Mystics their first championship.
“It was an amazing day just to be out there and competing with my teammates. It’s been quite a whirlwind,” said Delle Donne, who scored 16 points in her return. “You know I’m running out and I was like, a little bit emotional. I was like, I can’t add crying right now (because) I’m nervous. I certainly felt it welling up in my eyes for a second.”
Delle Donne said that her back and body felt good and that she will do treatment and see how she feels for the rest of the week. The 31-year-old forward said the most difficult part was “being so unsure if the nerve pain is going to take over again, so that’s the concern.”
The Mystics weren’t the only team to finally get healthy this week. Los Angeles welcomed back Ogwumike, who had been sidelined with a knee issue since May 28. She returned against New York on Sunday.
“When I got the green light, I was like, ‘Thank you, Lord.’ I think that’s the best feeling, when something’s gone, you miss it more. I’ve missed it a lot,” she said.
Ogwumike expects to be on a minutes limit for a few games.
“My knee felt really great out there,” she said. “My teammates give me so much confidence. They know my journey has been a long journey. But this is a special group, and to be out there with my sis again and to do some of the things we’ve always talked about ... today was a great day.”
POWER POLL
This week’s WNBA poll: 1 Las Vegas (17-6): The Aces play three games on the road this week with huge contest against Connecticut followed by a trip to Atlanta and Indiana.
2. Seattle (18-7): The Storm head home after finishing off long five-game road trip to start the second half of the season. Had a stop at the White House on Monday to celebrate the team’s 2020 championship.
3. Connecticut (17-6): Jonquel Jones is leading the Sun’s playoff push and is one of the front-runners for the league’s MVP award. She’s averaging a careerbest 20.6 points this season.
4. Minnesota (14-9): A favorable schedule has the Lynx home for six of their next seven games. Minnesota is 10-3 over its last 13 games with 10 of those games being played on the road. The Lynx also welcomed back Aerial Powers this past weekend after she missed two months while recovering from a torn UCL in her right thumb.
5. Phoenix (13-10): Five of the Mercury’s next six games are on the road, but none of their opponents have a winning record.