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Every week, across several sports, players around the DMV (D.C./Maryland/Virginia) shine in individual performance. Every Monday, I’d like to take a minute to highlight some of those performances, including what I view as the best performance and name that athlete the “DMV Star of the Week.”
This week’s DMV Star of the Week is Washington Mystics Forward Elena Delle Donne.
The Mystics star player has played just 17 of Washington’s 34 games in 2023 due to injury, but has made an instant impact in her first games since recovering.
On Friday August 18, the 6’5” Delle Donne played in her first game since July 9 and eased into things by just playing 11 minutes and scoring 6 points in a 83-79 victory.
Then, this past Saturday, she announced her full return to health with a great performance against the WNBA’s best team.
In a resounding 78-62 win over the first-placed Las Vegas Aces (30-5 overall), Delle Donne scored 21 points in 22 minutes, hauling in 7 rebounds and knocking down two three’s.
It’s her first time since June scoring in double figures.
The Mystics are right on the fringe of playoff contention and with a healthy Delle Donne and six games to play, it’ll likely go right down to the wire.
The DMV saw five teams in action this past week, including the Washington Nationals, D.C. United, Washington Spirit, Washington Mystics, and Washington Commanders in preseason.
Here are some honorable mention performances for DMV Star of the Week:
Washington Spirit Forward Ashley Hatch scored the equalizing goal in the 93rd minute of Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Portland
Here’s what’s coming up this week in DMV Sports:
Washington Commanders (0-0, 1st in NFC East)
9/10 vs. Arizona (Opening Day)
Washington Nationals (61-70, 4th in NL East, 24 GB)
8/28 @ Toronto
8/29 @ Toronto
8/30 @ Toronto
8/31 vs. Miami
9/1 vs. Miami
9/2 vs. Miami
9/3 vs. Miami
Maryland Terrapins Football (0-0 overall, 0-0, 1st in Big 10 East)
9/2 vs. Towson
Howard Bison Football (0-0 overall, 0-0, 1st in MEAC)
9/1 @ Eastern Michigan
D.C. United: (8-6-12, 30 points, 10th in Eastern Conference)
9/2 vs. Chicago
Washington Spirit: (6-8-3, 26 points, 5th in NWSL)
9/3 vs. Chicago
Washington Mystics: (16-18, 3rd in Eastern Conference)
8/29 vs. Minnesota
8/31 @ Las Vegas
9/3 @ Los Angeles
*Denotes games I will be covering in-person