LOS ANGELES -- The semifinal playoff series between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Chicago Sky could hang 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 1/2 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. Custom NCAA Shirts . Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey last Sunday. The fine is the fourth this season for Goldson. He was fined $30,000 for a hit on the New York Jets Jeff Cumberland in Week 1. Custom College Jerseys . - Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is not a fan of his teams use of the wildcat formation, saying "it makes you look like a high school offence. http://www.collegecustomjerseyscheap.com/ . Two pressure cooker bombs exploded near the finish line of the April 15 race in an area packed with fans cheering the passing runners. Three people were killed and more than 260 injured, including at least 16 who lost limbs. Discount Custom NCAA Shirts .C. United of Major League Soccer. United chose the defender in the second round of the 2013 MLS re-entry draft. Custom College Jerseys For Sale .J. -- Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons. CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Ronald Butler nailed Patrick Smith on a 14-yard scoring strike with 16 seconds remaining in the game as Tennessee State battled back to beat Southeast Missouri 32-31 on Saturday.Butler engineered an 88-yard scoring drive in nine plays, hitting Smith for 23 and 28 yards until the Tigers (7-4, 4-3 Ohio Valley) were on Southeast Missouris 14.The Redhawks (3-8, 3-5) had taken the lead earlier when JJ Flye recovered a fumbled punt return on the Tigers 16. Four plays later Will Young ran iit in from the 4 with 7:13 left in the final quarter.dddddddddddd Jesse Hosket passed to Stephen Dunn for two extra points and a 28-25 advantage. Ryan McCrum later booted a 26-yard field goal with 2:48 remaining.Butler threw for 279 yards and four touchdowns and Earl Harrison rushed for 168 yards on 23 carries for the Tigers. Smith caught 11 passes for 166 yards and two scores. ' ' '