Mystics’ Jade Melbourne Loses Tooth in Brutal WNBA Clash with Aces’ Chelsea Gray

In a gritty WNBA showdown, Washington Mystics guard and Olympic bronze medalist Jade Melbourne took a brutal elbow to the face from Las Vegas Aces’ Chelsea Gray during Thursday’s game, resulting in a chipped front tooth and a bloodied smile. The incident occurred in the first quarter as Melbourne drove past a screen, only to be met with Gray’s errant elbow, which sent a piece of her tooth skittering across the court. Despite the pain, Melbourne showed true Aussie grit, flashing a thumbs-up and a bloody grin post-game, as shared by teammate Georgia Amoore on Instagram.

Gray’s elbow earned her a flagrant foul, and Melbourne, after receiving stitches, sat out the rest of the game but stayed to support her team from the bench. Mystics coach Sydney Johnson confirmed the need for medical attention but didn’t speculate on Melbourne’s return timeline. The Mystics still clinched a solid 94-83 victory, even without Melbourne and star Brittney Sykes, who’s nursing a leg injury.

Melbourne, averaging 6.5 points and 2.6 assists this season, is no stranger to tough play, but this injury highlights the WNBA’s increasingly physical edge this year. From hard fouls to floor burns, the league’s intensity is undeniable, with players like Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark also feeling the heat. Melbourne’s resilience, though, steals the show—nothing says ‘tough’ like smiling through a busted tooth.