WNBA ace Liz Cambage sidelined after positive Covid-19 test

Australian basketballer Liz Cambage has had to enter the WNBA's health and safety protocols after testing positive for the coronavirus.

The Las Vegas Aces centre is fully vaccinated, and has shown only minor symptoms, according to a statement released by the team.

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“Las Vegas Aces centre Liz Cambage has tested positive for COVID-19, and has been placed in the WNBA’s health and safety protocols,” the statement read.

“She is fully vaccinated, experiencing mild symptoms, and will continue to isolate until she is cleared to return to play pursuant to the protocols.”

The Aces are second in the WNBA with the playoffs right around the corner.

Cambage is in the midst of an impressive WNBA campaign, averaging 14.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and the fourth-highest blocked shot rate in the league at 1.7 per game.

The 30-year-old controversially withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics shortly before the Opals were due to travel to Japan, following an incident in a practice match against Nigeria.

The incident has since prompted an investigation from Basketball Australia, while the Opals felt Cambage's absence on their way to a quarter-final defeat.

Opals coach Sandy Brondello had tried to downplay Cambage's absence, but after their limp exit couldn't keep up the charade.

"It's been a really interesting few weeks that we've had to deal with ... losing a big part of our team and trying to find our identity," she said.

"It was hard as a coach when you have a player in and the last minute taken out, especially with the limited preparation (with two games in 18 months due to COVID-19).

"Lack of preparation (hurt) and maybe a little bit of emotional energy ... it wasn't easy, I was pretty drained to be quite honest.

"Liz, she's one of the best players in the world."

Limited details available in Basketball Australia's Cambage probe

Prior to the Olympics more detail, while still quite limited, was provided about the investigation by Basketball Australia.

In a media release, the organising body confirmed the nature of the investigation into Cambage.

"The circumstances surrounding the incident that occurred during the scrimmage between Nigeria and Australia involving Liz Cambage are currently under investigation for a breach of the integrity framework and code of conduct," the statement read.

"As Liz has withdrawn from the Olympic Games due to mental health reasons we will not make any comments on the status of the investigation until the matter is concluded."

The outspoken star, in addition to the incident against Nigeria, had reportedly gotten teammates offside by breaking the team's bubble - an allegation she flatly denied in a later post to social media.

She denied ever leaving the team hotel other than to attend the WNBA All-Star game, which had been cleared by the team, and added that everything that happened during the closed scrimmage was on film.

“I’m pretty annoyed at all the fake news and the lies I’m seeing floating around in news articles and being shown and being asked about," she said.

“I just want to say this decision was coming and I’m happy I finally made it on my own terms. It’s sad that news got leaked yesterday that I didn’t even know about.

“Yeah, things got heated in the Nigeria game. There was a physical altercation and there were words exchanged but I’m hearing things that aren’t true at all, flying around from people in Australia and America which is crazy.

“Everything that happened and everything that was said is on film. I know what happened and I do not appreciate the lies and people constantly trying to tear me down.

“But hey, I’ve been trapped in this room, with no view, with nothing, for a week. Of course I’m going to lose my mind in here, are you serious?"

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