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Washington Mystics Guard and the Olympic Medal Jade Melbourne lost part of a lead after taking a wild elbow to his mouth in Thursday evening’s victory over the Las Vegas Ess.
Melbourne was injured in the first quarter when she tried to drive past a screen from ACES Guard Chelsea Gray.
Washington Mystics -Guard Jade Melbourne (5) runs against Las Vegas Aces Guard Jewell Loyd (24) and Center Kiah Stokes (41) during the first half of Thursday, June 26, 2025 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Gray’s elbow made direct contact with Melbourne’s mouth and when she bent over pain. A tooth seemed to fall on the field.
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A bloody Melbourne was taken off the field and although she remained the sideline for the rest of the game, she joined her team on the bench. Gray was rated an obvious error.
Kiki Iriafen (44) from Washington Mystics helps teammate Jade Melbourne (5) after she was injured in a play against Las Vegas Acer in the first quarter of Michelob Ultra Arena June 26, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Mystic coach Sydney Johnson said after the game that Melbourne demanded sting, reported Yahoo Sports.
Despite the original shock of the damage, Melbourne appeared in a good mood after the game. Teammate Georgia Amoore shared a post on Instagram showing Melbourne smiling with a bloody mouth and tiled tooth and two thumbs.
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Melbourne, an Australian basketball player who earned a bronze medal at 2024 summer -ol in Paris, is an average of 6.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists this season.
It was not immediately clear whether she would miss further time due to Thursday’s injury.
Jade Melbourne (5) after she was wounded in a game against Las Vegas Acer in the first quarter of Michelob Ultra Arena June 26, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The mystics secured a 94-83 victory, even without Melbourne and the team’s leading goal scorer, Brittney Sykes, who was sidelined for the other straight game with a lower leg damage.
Wnba has seen a Uptick in physical acting this season. Indiana Fever -Star Caitlin Clark has been at the receiving end of many of these plays, but Melbourne’s injury on Thursday ranks as one of this season most serious.
