WNBA set to tip off shortened season after delayed start

A WNBA season like or will get underway on Saturday with all 12 teams at a single site.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, league staff and player's union worked toger on a plan to tip off league's 24th season at a single site during coronavirus pandemic. y coordinated on medical protocols and logistics of playing in one location.

After a couple of weeks in bubble, plan seems to be working. re have only been two positive tests for coronavirus by staff and players, and those were in first few days when people arrived on July 6. re have been ne since.

"Kck on wood every day, but things are stable here" in Brandenton, Florida, Engelbert said. 

"So far, plan and protocols are working. Wearing masks, washing hands, daily temperature checks." 

Engelbert, who just finished her first year as league's commissioner, is confident WNBA will have a successful season and make it through playoffs in October.

"Again, I'm t superstitious, but more I talk about how well things are going, I do get a little nervous," commissioner said. But I'm very confident right w," she said.

league welcomes back a few of its stars who missed last season because of injury or pregnancy. 

Seattle got biggest boost with return of Breanna Stewart (Achilles' tendon) and Sue Bird (knee). Phoenix also will have a healthy Diana Taurasi back after she only played six games last season because of hamstring and back injuries as well as Skylar Diggins-Smith (pregnancy).

MISSING IN ACTION

While league will have many players back, it will be missing a few who have decided to take season off for a variety of reasons including medical and social justice reform.

Reigning MVP Elena Delle Donne is out rehabbing her back after having surgery on it January. She was denied by league's independent panel of physicians for receiving a medical exemption for her Lyme disease, but Washington Mystics are still going to pay her salary. 

Her new teammate Tina Charles, who was acquired in offseason was given medical exemption by panel because of an extrinsic asthma condition.

Or players missing include Las Vegas Aces' star Liz Camb, who was given a medical exemption. Washington's Natasha Cloud and Atlanta's Renee Montgomery decided to opt out of season to focus on social justice reform.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Black Lives Matter movement is at front of players and league's mind as season tips off. Players will wear uniforms for opening weekend of season and beyond featuring Breonna Taylor's name when league begins play. 

league and union also formed a Social Justice Council that will come up with ideas for players to continue to work on this cause.

"I think to me it's a -brainer," Stewart said. 

"We want to continue to use our platform to amplify things we're fighting for and continue to put an emphasis on Breonna Taylor. Focus on fact that her killers haven't been arrested."

NEW FACES

. 1 pick Sabrina Ionescu is one of seven rookies on New York Liberty roster this season   most of any team in league and most to be on a roster in at least a decade. 

While Ionescu is one of most recognizable new players in WNBA, re are a bunch of talented first-year players expected to make an impact, including Satou Sabally (Dallas), Bella Alarie (Dallas), Chennedy Carter (Atlanta) and Ruthy Hebard (Chicago). 

re are also two new coaches in league with Walt Hopkins taking over New York Liberty and Marianne Stanley coaching Indiana Fever.

SHORTENED SEASON

Teams will play 22 games this year facing all or franchises twice. re will be fans in attendance and travel to or cities which should save some of grind on bodies of players. 

playoff format will be same as its been for past few years with top eight teams making postseason and . 1 and . 2 seeds getting byes to semifinals.

first two rounds will be single-elimination playoff games. 

Im credits: AP