4:59 PM ET
Kelly CohenESPN
Former two-time WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne will likely return to the court Sunday in what would be her first game since October 2019.
Delle Donne, who was named MVP in 2015 and 2019, is probable for the Washington Mystics’ home game Sunday against the Seattle Storm (3 p.m. ET, ESPN).
She led the Mystics to the WNBA title in 2019 while playing with three herniated disks. Delle Donne subsequently had two back surgeries and sat out the 2020 WNBA season because of health concerns.
Mystics coach Mike Thibault said after practice Saturday that Delle Donne had been upgraded to probable.
Delle Donne’s return comes at a good time for the Mystics, who are 8-13 but are just a half-game out of a playoff spot with a few weeks left in the regular season.
“It’s been mentally incredible just to be back with my teammates and competing again,” Delle Donne said earlier this month. “It has been quite a long road. And I don’t think you realize how much you miss it until you’re actually back in it. And then it’s like, ‘My goodness!’ It’s just been so refreshing.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been on court, and I’m not able to get as many reps as I’d love to. But I know I can’t beat myself up. But I know when I can be back, I can impact this team in a positive way.”
In 2019, Delle Donne averaged 19.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 blocks per game.