Advertisement

Storm, Lynx to start semifinal series after abrupt COVID-19 postponement

After a sudden postponement related to COVID-19 tests inside the bubble at IMG Academy this weekend, the Minnesota Lynx and Seattle Storm will kick off their semifinals series on Tuesday night.

Game 1 of the series was set for Sunday afternoon. However, it was abruptly postponed after three Storm players had inconclusive coronavirus test results.

Players cleared after inconclusive tests

Two of those three players who had inconclusive tests underwent additional testing and were already cleared to return to the team. The third player had already tested negative once, though was waiting for a second negative test to return before being cleared to rejoin the team.

“The health and safety of all players and staff continue to be our top priority,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement. “After comprehensive consultation with health and safety specialists following the additional testing of Seattle’s players and staff as well as the implementation of contact tracing, we feel confident in moving forward with the Storm and Lynx taking the court for Game 1 of their Semifinals series. We are closely monitoring the situation and are coordinating with medical specialists.”

The initial cancellation was made just a half hour before the Lynx and Storm were set to square off on Sunday afternoon.

There have been no positive coronavirus tests during the league’s stay at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, so far this season. Two players have had inconclusive tests inside the bubble, however. Both Los Angeles Sparks rookie Te’a Cooper and Las Vegas Aces guard Lindsay Allen were forced to sit out a game after their respective inconclusive tests.

Game 2 of their series was initially set to take place on Tuesday anyway, so the series is just one game behind the Connecticut/Las Vegas series.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert
Three Storm players had inconclusive coronavirus test results on Sunday, forcing the league to postpone the series indefinitely. (AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

More from Yahoo Sports: