One WNBA semifinals series delayed by inconclusive coronavirus tests
BRADENTON, Fla. — A WNBA semifinals opener between the Minnesota Lynx and Seattle Storm was postponed Sunday about 90 minutes before tipoff because some Storm players had inconclusive coronavirus tests. Those players have undergone additional testing and are in isolation, according to the WNBA.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert was at the hotel when she found out about the inconclusive results and boarded the Storm’s bus to let them know.
The Lynx already had arrived at the arena, and some of the players had been warming up when they were told the game was postponed.
“This is the hardest part of COVID-19 of putting on live sports,” Engelbert said. “Every day you’re reset to zero. Keeping the bubble safe and making sure there’s no community spread. The purpose of testing program and protocols is to pull anyone out before they are infectious.”
Game 1 of the series was rescheduled for Tuesday.
“The Storm organization fully supports the decision to postpone the game,” Storm co-owner Lisa Brummel and CEO and general manager Alisha Valavanis said in a statement. “The health and safety of the WNBA players, team staff and all those involved in the production of this season remains our top priority.”
Sun 87, Aces 62: Jasmine Thomas scored 31 points, Alyssa Thomas scored 18, and Connecticut pulled away early and cruised to a win over Las Vegas in Game 1 of the best-of-five semifinals.
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday.
Alyssa Thomas had six rebounds, five assists, five steals and two blocks. Natisha Hiedeman made 4 of 4 from 3-point range and finished with 14 points for Connecticut.
The seventh-seeded Sun lost their first five games, and six of seven, but rebounded to make the playoffs. They beat sixth-seeded Chicago and third-seeded Los Angeles in the...