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. Cheap Air Max Sale . As the crowd erupted, Davis knocked the ball off the glass and back into his hands. With 1:14 to go in overtime, Davis sixth block also became his 17th rebound. That, along with his 32 points -- which tied a career high -- proved too much for Denver to overcome, and the Pelicans held on for their third straight victory, 111-107 on Sunday night. Air Max Online Cheap . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. http://www.cheapairmaxshop.com/ .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. Cheap Air Max Shop . Terms of the deal were not immediately available. The 26-year-old finished last season with Clevelands Triple-A affiliate in Columbus after signing with the Indians in August. Air Max Shoes Online .B. -- The Baie-Comeau Drakkar took over sole possession of first place atop the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League on Thursday with their sixth straight win. MINNEAPOLIS -- When Emmitt Carpenter missed a 34-yard field goal wide right in the second quarter on Saturday, Minnesota was already leading 21-10 and was having the expected success against Rutgers porous defense.While the Golden Gophers were driving at will on offense as big favorites at home, Carpenter knew he would be needed again. In a bit of a surprise, Carpenters time would be with 10 seconds left.Carpenter connected for a 28-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining and Minnesota survived for a 34-32 victory against the Scarlet Knights.After that missed kick in the first half, I thought about it for a little bit just to kind of learn from the experience and what I did wrong, and then just kind of clean the slate, Carpenter said of getting another chance after his miss. I knew that my name would be called again at some point in the game. I just had to respond for that.The Gophers scored touchdowns on their first three possessions for a 21-0 lead against Rutgers, which entered the game allowing the most points per game and second-most yards per game in Big Ten play.We had a great week of practice and we come out of the gates, Minnesota coach Tracy Claeys said. We didnt handle that lead for whatever reason.Rodney Smith had a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and ran for 111 yards and a touchdown for the Gophers (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten). Mitch Leidner returned after missing one game with a concussion and was 11-of-18 passing for 156 yards and an interception.Rutgers cornerback Damon Hayes intercepted Leidner and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown with just over six minutes left in the third quarter, but Knights kicker David Bongaura couldnt tie the game when he missed the PAT.Smith took Bongauras ensuing kickoff and raced down the home sideline for the first kickoff return for a touchdown by a Minnesota player since Jalen Myrick in 2014.Giovanni Rescigno was 22 of 38 for 220 yards passing in making his fiirst start for Rutgers (2-6, 0-5).dddddddddddd Rescigno threw three touchdown passes and two interceptions for the Knights, who had scored 14 points in four conference games prior to Saturday.A lot of heart, a lot of spirit; he made a lot of plays, coach Chris Ash said of Rescigno. Im really happy for the kid and really excited about what he can do as we move forward.Bongaura made a 39-yard field goal with four minutes left, but Minnesota went 59 yards in 13 plays to set up Carpenters game-winner. Smith had 25 yards rushing, including a 3-yard run on third down, spinning away from defenders twice for a first down.I kind of get the feel when the offense needs a spark, and we knew what we had to do to win the game, Smith said.Shannon Brooks had 22 carries for 87 yards as the Gophers ran for 243 yards. Rutgers had allowed an average of 328 rushing yards in four previous Big Ten games.I feel for them, Ash said. Were going to get better. Well get over that hump. I dont know when its going to be, but well get over that hump. Theres no quit in these guys. The attitudes extremely high.Minnesota linebacker Jack Lynn was ejected in the second half for targeting when he lowered his shoulder and hit receiver Jawuan Harris.THE TAKEAWAYRUTGERS: Despite the two interceptions, Rescigno has given the Knights a spark at quarterback. With the Rescigno using his arm and legs (11 carries for 26 yards), Rutgers had its most impressive offensive performance of the season in Big Ten play.MINNESOTA: The Gophers defense entered the game with the fifth-ranked defense in Big Ten play. But Minnesota was shaky against the relatively unknown Rescigno and gave up 372 total yards.UP NEXTRUTGERS: Finally gets its bye week before hosting Indiana on Nov. 5.Minnesota: The Gophers go on the road at Illinois on Oct. 29. ' ' '