Washington Mystics players Elena Delle Donne and Tina Charles waiting for results of medical evaluations

The Washington Mystics announced Wednesday that forward Elena Delle Donne and center Tina Charles “entered the WNBA player medical evaluation protocol. The players did not travel with the team to Bradenton, Florida. An update on their status will be given when their evaluations are finalized.”

Delle Donne, who has Lyme disease and suffered from herniated disks last season, is the league’s reigning MVP. She averaged 19.5 points, a career-high 8.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game last season while leading the franchise to its first-ever championship.

The Mystics acquired Charles, the 2012 MVP, in April from the New York Liberty. She averaged 16.9 points and 7.5 rebounds in 33 games with the Liberty last season.

Seven players tested positive for COVID-19 last week. Players in Florida are currently in quarantine at IMG Academy in Florida. The Indiana Fever have yet to arrive as the team is exercising medical caution since two players from the team tested positive for coronavirus. The WNBA will begin play in late July in a 22-game season. The exact start date has not been announced.