Washington Mystics coach Mike Thibault described it as "like Christmas" just two hours before Elena Delle Donne, two-time WNBA MVP, returned to play in her first WNBA match since October 2019.
It took five minutes for the Christmas spirit to spread through Washington, D.C. Arena, and Delle Donne finally scored her first bucket with just two hands.
Thibault was not the only one feeling emotion. Delle Donne said she was holding back tears when she was introduced to reporters by a cheering crowd, welcoming her back from back surgeries that had kept her out of the public eye for 22 months.
Unfortunately, for the Seattle Storm, her return was not enough to stop them, who won an 85-78 victory.
It was an incredible day to compete with my team. She said it was a crazy ride. "You know, I'm running out. I was a bit emotional. I was like, "I can't add crying [because] it's too nervous." It was evident that my eyes were welling up for a second.
Delle Donne was 1-for-4 in the first half. She moved up and down court with ease, but she looked hesitant about making aggressive plays.
The second half was different. Delle Donne fought for rebounds and drove to the basket. She stressed how important it wasn't to let herself down from the first half into the second.
It was more because I had to allow the game to come to me a bit more. Delle Donne stated that the game was going to be difficult at times, and will continue to be so.
After a Seattle run that gave Storm (18-7) a 14 point lead in the fourth quarter of the game, the Mystics scored one of their own. Highlighted by a hard layup in post contact with 6 minutes 12 seconds remaining to reduce the lead to three, the Mystics won one of their own.
The Mystics lost to the defending WNBA champions. However, Delle Donne ended with 16 points after shooting 5-for-11 and grabbing three rebounds in just 22 minutes. Based on her feelings after treatment and Monday's training, the minutes restriction could be changed before Tuesday's game.
Delle Donne stated that her back and body are feeling good. She will continue treatment to see how she feels the rest of the week. The hardest part was "being so unsure whether the nerve pain will take over again, so this is the concern."
Natasha Cloud stated that having Delle Donne back in the fold will set the tone for the team's grind for the playoffs. At 8-14, the Mystics are ranked 10th and are currently on a four-game losing streak.
Cloud said, "Her presence on the court alone is enormous for us. Cloud stated that her voice and leadership have been extraordinary. "Elena is a natural communicator and can say the right thing at just the right moment every time. That's huge to have in your leader.
