Latest News
The concussion that Chicago Sky forward Elena Delle Donne suffered Wednesday (July 24) created a headache — for the rookie, for the team and for the WNBA.
The first-year player from the University of Delaware suffered a concussion with 1:01 remaining in the third quarter in an 82-78 loss to the host Washington Mystics. She has helped the Sky to the top of the Eastern Conference and was the overall leading vote-getter for the league’s all-star game Saturday.
Elena Delle Donne may miss the WNBA all-star game because of a concussion. Credit: HomeLand Sports / Rick Welton
“She hit her head on the floor,” Sky coach Pokey Chatman said. “With Elena, its ‘all eyes on E’ and unfortunately that happened, but I think this will be a nice break. The rookies usually hit that rookie wall coming off their NCAA season then jumping in to [the WNBA]. She’s a rookie by stature, but she plays the minutes of a 5- or 6-year vet and does a lot for us, so I think this break for her is coming at a really good time.”
Even if not exactly as Delle Donne or the WNBA would like. She is unlikely to play in the all-star game that comes so soon after suffering a concussion.
All-star starter Epiphanny Prince had 18 points, all-star reserve Sylvia Fowles 21, Epiphanny Prince 18, Delle Donne 12 and Swin Cash 10 for the Sky (12-5). No one asked me, but Cash — the all-star MVP in the last WNBA all-star game in 2011 — should take Delle Donne’s spot of the roster.
As the face of the future of the WNBA, Delle Donne might attend some all-star activities if she is able. She could show up in street clothes for the game and then spend quality time with her family in Delaware for a few days before the Sky (12-5) returns to action Aug. 2 against the Mystics at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill.
And if Delle Donne misses a few — or several — games because of caution regarding the concussion, that would seem a reasonable approach.
Given her importance to the growth and popularity of the WNBA, a reasonable approach would seem the only one to follow if the league expects her to be a leader for many years to come.
If it’s Thursday (and with yesterday being Wednesday — provided that today is July 25, 2013, or a subsequent Thursday), then it is time once again for “Sports & Torts” with co-hosts David Spada and Elliott Harris on Talkzone.com at noon Central time. The one-hour interview show has broadcaster Lon Simmons, who covered Willie Mays and the San Francisco Giants as well as the San Francisco 49ers dynasty (as well as well before that) as the guest for July 25.
For those unable to tune in for the show, it will be available later in the day via podcast at the Talkzone site.
Here is where we go for a daily dose of non-gratuitous video (thanks to the hard work of the editorial and video staffs at elliottharris.com and their wonderfully imprecise definition of “gratuitous”):
Advertising opportunities are available on ElliottHarris.com. For information and rates, contact sales@elliottharris.com.