“We prepare like she’s never coming back because everything else would be Merry Christmas to us,” Chatman told the AP. “You have to because you don’t want to put undue pressure on her to come back too soon if she’s not ready.”
AP: Elena Delle Donne Out for Game 1 of Semifinals, Doubtful for Game 2
Injured star Elena Delle Donne will miss Wednesday night’s Semifinals Game 1 against the Sparks and is doubtful for Friday’s Game 2, Chicago Sky coach Pokey Chatman told the Associated Press.
Delle Donne has missed the Sky’s last six games with a thumb injury suffered during their Sept. 7 game against the Mystics. She underwent surgery on Sept. 13, with no timetable set for her return.
Chicago has gone 4-2 in her absence.
“I just think we knew when she went down that we were all going to have to step up,” Sky guard Allie Quigley told the AP. “Everyone was ready. We’re not going to be like the team where, ‘Oh, they’re not that good without Elena.’ Everyone took it personal and stepped up big.”
Game 3 of the best-of-five semifinals will be held on Sunday, Oct. 2 — 19 days after Delle Donne’s surgery. Game 4, if necessary, is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 4 and Game 5 is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 6.
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