The Players' Tribune

All-Star Diary

Elena Delle Donne

Elena Delle Donne

Washington Mystics


This past weekend at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut, Chicago Sky guard Elena Delle Donne played in her first WNBA All-Star game. Photographer Deanne Fitzmaurice tagged along for a behind-the-scenes look into the life of one of the league’s best ballers.

8:04AM Waiting to do an ESPN SportsCenter interview in the Mohegan Sun Arena.
8:04AM Waiting to do an ESPN SportsCenter interview in the Mohegan Sun Arena. /
8:19AM Make-up call before the interview.
8:19AM Make-up call before the interview. /
8:26AM
8:26AM /
8:28AM I missed the shot.
8:28AM I missed the shot. /
8:37AM Relaxing back in my hotel room.
8:37AM Relaxing back in my hotel room. /
8:39AM Due to my Lyme Disease, I take handful of supplements and medications every day.
8:39AM Due to my Lyme Disease, I take handful of supplements and medications every day. /
8:40AM Yes, my room was a mess.
8:40AM Yes, my room was a mess. /
8:45AM
8:45AM /
8:47AM Amanda, my assistant and Director of the De11eDonne Academy, shares a funny video.
8:47AM Amanda, my assistant and Director of the De11eDonne Academy, shares a funny video. /
11:58AM Me and my Eastern Conference teammates gather for pre-game activities.
11:58AM Me and my Eastern Conference teammates gather for pre-game activities. /
12:00PM
12:00PM /
12:03PM Joking around, we were relaxed before the game.
12:03PM Joking around, we were relaxed before the game. /
12:14PM
12:14PM /
12:18PM Angel McCoughtry and I discuss the East All-Star jerseys.
12:18PM Angel McCoughtry and I discuss the East All-Star jerseys. /
12:32PM Cappie Pondexter, my Chicago Sky and Eastern Conference teammate, and I get our ankles taped.
12:32PM Cappie Pondexter, my Chicago Sky and Eastern Conference teammate, and I get our ankles taped. /
1:07PM It was great to be hanging out in the locker room with my fellow East All-Stars for the first time in my career.
1:07PM It was great to be hanging out in the locker room with my fellow East All-Stars for the first time in my career. /
1:08PM Stef Dolson for sure takes the funniest teammate award!
1:08PM Stef Dolson for sure takes the funniest teammate award! /
1:11PM Passing an inspirational message leaving the locker room for the team photo.
1:11PM Passing an inspirational message leaving the locker room for the team photo. /
1:15PM Lining up for the photo.
1:15PM Lining up for the photo. /
1:26PM In the West team locker room to practice my game introduction with Maya Moore.
1:26PM In the West team locker room to practice my game introduction with Maya Moore. /
1:26PM
1:26PM /
2:10pm Killing more time waiting for the game to begin.
2:10pm Killing more time waiting for the game to begin. /
2:20PM Selfies!
2:20PM Selfies! /
3:41PM Running out!
3:41PM Running out! /
3:41PM Maya and I ham it up during introductions.
3:41PM Maya and I ham it up during introductions. /
3:53PM Action
3:53PM Action /
4:15PM Waiting to enter the game.
4:15PM Waiting to enter the game. /
4:25PM Us players were competitive but also made sure to have some fun.
4:25PM Us players were competitive but also made sure to have some fun. /
4:45PM High-fiving the fans.
4:45PM High-fiving the fans. /
5:04PM Action
5:04PM Action /
5:12pm
5:12pm /
5:12pm
5:12pm /
5:21PM Me and my teammates cheer from the bench in the final minutes of the game.
5:21PM Me and my teammates cheer from the bench in the final minutes of the game. /
5:27PM
5:27PM /
5:45PM Giving an autograph to a young fan before heading to the locker room. I love my fans.
5:45PM Giving an autograph to a young fan before heading to the locker room. I love my fans. /
5:46PM
5:46PM /
5:47PM Back to the locker room after the game. Final: Western Conference, 117. Eastern Conference, 112. What an honor to be a part of an incredible we
5:47PM Back to the locker room after the game. Final: Western Conference, 117. Eastern Conference, 112. What an honor to be a part of an incredible we /

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