Jade Melbourne seriously injured by Chelsea Gray's elbow, losing part of her tooth
- Jade Melbourne suffered a bloody mouth injury and lost part of her tooth during a game against the Las Vegas Aces.
- Chelsea Gray was charged with a flagrant foul for elbowing Melbourne in the face.
- Despite her injury, Melbourne joined her teammates on the bench and managed to remain positive after the game.
In the United States, during a recent WNBA game between the Washington Mystics and the Las Vegas Aces, Australian basketball player Jade Melbourne sustained a serious injury. The incident occurred in the first quarter when she attempted to drive past a screen from Aces guard Chelsea Gray. As she maneuvered, Gray accidentally elbowed Melbourne in the mouth, resulting in immediate pain and visible injury. Melbourne bent over in discomfort, and a fragment of her tooth was reported to have fallen onto the court. The game was integral for both teams as they competed for critical points in the season. As a result of the foul, Gray received a flagrant foul, indicating that her action was deemed excessive and deserving of increased penalties. Following the injury, Melbourne was taken off the court due to the severity of her condition, which involved blood and damage not only to her mouth but also required her to receive stitches. This incident was particularly distressing, drawing attention due to the nature of the injury. Despite the trauma from the injury, Melbourne displayed a commendable attitude. She returned to the bench and was seen smiling and giving thumbs up in support of her team, reflecting resilience and positivity despite the circumstances. The Washington Mystics managed to secure a victory in the match against the Las Vegas Aces with a final score of 94-83, indicating the team's depth and ability to perform even when missing key players. Melbourne's performance statistics for the game indicated that she had scored two points prior to her injury. While it remains uncertain whether she will face a prolonged absence from the game owing to her injury, this occurrence has ignited discussions around the physical nature of play in the WNBA, especially concerning injuries. There has been growing scrutiny on the league's treatment of physical plays, particularly with multiple players experiencing similar situations throughout the season, emphasizing the need for player safety and preventive measures in future games.