LOS ANGELES -- The semifinal playoff series between the Los Angeles Sparks and Chicago Sky could hinge on the recovery of Elena Delle Donnes thumb.Delle Donne had surgery recently, and coach Pokey Chatman said she wont play in Game 1 of the best-of-five series that begins Wednesday at Long Beach State and is doubtful for Game 2.Chicago guard Allie Quigley is impressed with how the Sky have played without the star forward.I just think we knew when she went down that we were all going to have to step up, Quigley said. Everyone was ready. Were not going to be like the team where, Oh, theyre not that good without Elena. Everyone took it personal and stepped up big.The second-seeded Sparks, who had a double bye and havent played in 12 days, are planning for all scenarios, with or without Delle Donne. Chicago is planning to play without her.The Sparks, who had the second-best record in the league at 26-8, have shortened practices and structured them more like games in preparation for the playoffs.I also think theres an element of two things happening, Sparks coach Brian Agler said. I think we sat around for 5? weeks and everyone told us how good we are, and I think we softened up. Thats No. 1. No. 2, now its playoff time. Its easier to get peoples attention. I cant tell you the outcome of the games, but I think well be more engaged and focused.Delle Donne has captured the attention of the WNBA and its fans. And in her absence, her teammates are showing they can become a more guard-oriented team and be successful at it.Credit the players for stepping up individually and collectively, Chatman said. Unfortunately, in the past weve had to do that. Elena has suffered with some injuries and the back injury. Theres not this collective sigh or panic on the players part.Dont misunderstand me, its an arduous task ... but also, its the beauty of sports that someone goes down and someone steps up. Some veteran players like Cappie Pondexter, Courtney Vandersloot and Tamera Young, theyve stepped up and changed the way we played in terms of our pace.The fourth-seeded Sky have played well without Delle Donne, going 4-2 with her out of the lineup.Chicago must play the Sparks with all of their All-Stars, like Candace Parker and WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike. Ogwumike led the team in scoring with 19.7 points per game.The Sparks have won all three meetings against Chicago this season, all by double digits.While the Sparks were waiting through byes, they scrimmaged and on Tuesday, visited with the homeless in nearby Venice and passed out blankets and shoes.They were back scrimmaging on Tuesday.Theyre playing great basketball, and theyve been without [Delle Donne], Parker said. Weve got to prepare for them. They have so many different weapons.Delle Donnes absence, and her regular-season scoring average of 21.5 points per game, is glaring for Chicago, which beat Atlanta to advance.We prepare like shes never coming back because everything else would be Merry Christmas to us, Chatman said. You have to because you dont want to put undue pressure on her to come back too soon if shes not ready. Cheap MLB Jerseys . - Levi Browns tenure at left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers is over before it even began. Wholesale Baseball Jerseys For Sale . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. 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The Canucks have lost five straight games and six of their last seven, leaving them in a logjam in the Pacific Division, currently sitting fifth - good for ninth in the Western Conference. If there is any solace the Los Angeles Rams can use heading into their Week 2 matchup against a familiar NFC West rival, it is the fact that they beat the Seattle Seahawks twice in 2015.That will need to be Los Angeles head coach Jeff Fishers rallying cry all week after his squad laid an egg on national television this past Monday night. The new Rams hope to have a better showing as they kick off their return to Los Angeles and host the 1-0 Seahawks at 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Seahawks enter this contest having barely escaped with a victory over the Miami Dolphins.Both teams know there is a lot at stake in this early-season matchup. The Rams have already lost a division game to the San Francisco 49ers and cannot afford to be 0-2 in the NFC West to start the season. The Seahawks struggled to a 12-10 win in Week 1 and know the Rams have their number in recent history.Were familiar with them, theyre familiar with us; we respect them, they respect us. I love watching them play -- the Seahawks -- because they play hard, (Seattle head coach) Pete (Carroll) does a great job and fortunately, weve had some success against them, said Fisher about this rivalry.The health of Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is a major topic leading up to this game. Wilsons ankle was stepped on in the third quarter of the Miami game, limiting his ability to move and escape the pocket. The unique aspect of Wilsons game is the ability to extend drives and plays with his feet and speed. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell must be creative and protective of Wilson when installing the game plan for the Rams.Wilson is expected to play. Remember, this is a player who has never missed an important snap in his career. Carroll addressed this to the media.Hes (Wilson) pretty good. Hes not in a boot. Hes walking around and hes practicing on Wednesday. Hes planning on playing and well see how it goes, Carroll said.Wilson is adamant about playing against a team he lost to twice last season.With even a slightly hobbled Wilson, the onus falls on running backs Christine Michael and Thomas Rawls to establish a running attack. Against a solid Miami defensive front, the offensive line struggled to gain momentum and consistency. Michael and Rawls rushed for a combined 98 yards but failed to cross the goal line. That will nott work against the formidable defensive front of the Rams.ddddddddddddLos Angeles defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will build his game plan around stopping the Seahawks rushing attack and forcing the gimpy Wilson out of the pocket. Williams can use middle linebacker Alec Olgetree on run stunts, which will allow Pro Bowl defensive tackle Aaron Donald to be single-blocked by either guard JMarcus Webb or Mark Glowinski. That is a matchup the Rams should win.Donald is one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL. The front five of the Seahawks has struggled to block him in his four games played against them. In those four career games against Seattle, Donald has amassed four sacks and 24 total tackles. That being said, Donald and the Rams defense had zero sacks versus the 49ers.Center Justin Britt was moved to center and a major reason was for matchups opposite Donald. Britt is intelligent, has quick hands and good lateral quickness. The 49ers were able to frustrate Donald, who did not play particularly well and was ejected for putting his hands on an official. The Rams as a team had 10 total penalties for 102 yards. If Donald can keep his composure and play like last season, this could be an exciting matchup to watch.Los Angeles offense was a train wreck on Monday Night Football. Former Rams great Eric Dickerson called it an embarrassment. The play of quarterback Case Keenum had Fisher thinking about benching him, but the head coach allowed him to finish the game.Fisher has acknowledged that Keenum is on a short leash, though, he enters the Sundays game as the starter. No matter who lines up at center for the Rams, the offensive line needs to play much better than the unit did against the 49ers.Running back Todd Gurley was held in check in Week 1 and will be looking to better his numbers from his only game against the Seahawks in 2015. Gurley rushed for 83 yards and scored one touchdown in the December showdown in Seattle.With the lack of a passing attack, the Seahawks defensive game plan will be to stack the tackle box with run defenders and make Keenum beat Seattles defensive backs with passes downfield. Safety Earl Thomas and cornerback Richard Sherman would welcome that challenge. ' ' '