WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne has surgery on her injured back

Elena Delle Donne, who was diagnosed with herniated disks last fall, had surgery on her back Friday, the Washington Mystics announced Wednesday.

Delle Donne, 30, had surgery performed in Dallas by spinal orthopedist Dr. Andrew Dossett, the Mystics said, terming it "minor." 

The 2019 WNBA MVP is expected to return to action for the 2020 season, which begins May 16 for the Mystics, according to the team.

Delle Donne, the former Ursuline Academy and University of Delaware All-American, had to leave Game 2 of the WNBA Finals with what was later revealed to be herniated disks.

Despite still being hampered by the injury, Delle Donne was able to return for the next three games while sparking Washington to its first WNBA title. She had 21 points and nine rebounds in the title-clincher over the Connecticut Sun.

However, Delle Donne, a member of the U.S. team and a 2016 Olympic gold medalist, did not play for the national team during four fall exhibition games against college teams or two more this week leading to upcoming Olympic qualifying.

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