Perth Lynx players are likely to be forced to spend Christmas in quarantine if they choose to play WNBL this year after the league announced a six-week competition based in Queensland which will finish on December 20.

The season will tip-off on November 12 and all matches played across Cairns, Mackay and Townsville. Each team will play 14 games, and then finals will be contested with standalone semi, preliminary and grand final matches.

The fixture is yet to be announced, but if the Lynx advance to the play-offs, they won’t return to Perth in time to complete 14 days of quarantine before Christmas Day.

Earlier this week, WA premier Mark McGowan refused to commit to opening the state’s borders by Christmas.

Dual WNBA champion Sami Whitcomb’s availability for the start of the season is already in doubt after she flew back to Australia ahead of Seattle’s grand final series to be at the birth of her first child.

Whitcomb is still quarantining in Sydney and faces another 14 days in quarantine after landing in Perth.

Her wife Kate is due to give birth to their son during the opening week of the WNBL season. Players must suit up for five games to be eligible for finals.

“We are in constant contact with Sami and she is very much a part of this team,” Lynx General Manager Alannah Burton said.

“Regardless of what happens, Sami Whitcomb is an integral part of the Perth Lynx and she knows that. Our focus is on supporting her and Kate. What will be will be.”

Players have agreed to take a 15 per cent pay cut and clubs have been granted permission to sign two extra development players to reduce the workload on the squads.

Basketball WA took over the Lynx licence this season after it was previously owned by the Perth Wildcats.

The team focused heavily on signing West Australians and Burton said while everyone was excited about having a season, they understand fans will be disappointed that they can’t attend matches.

“The amount of local talent on the Lynx roster is more than ever before and the feedback we were getting from the members and fans is that the state was right behind us,” Burton said.

“They were looking forward to getting to games and watching these WA juniors and SBL stars representing the Lynx.

The broadcast plans will be exciting but it’s not the same as a couple of thousand fans screaming in the stands.

“But we know we are in a unique situation and the reality is we are lucky to have sport.”

Players living in COVID-19 hotspots throughout Australia will travel to Queensland later this month and spend 14 days quarantining in Brisbane.

Australian Opal and former Lynx captain Tessa Lavey has declared she will definitely join the WNBL hub despite being drafted by Richmond to play AFLW in 2021.

The Bendigo star said earning Olympic selection remains a goal but understands her decision to adopt a second sport may cause controversy within the Australian basketball community.

“There’s no doubt there are going to be people who have their own opinions on what I should and shouldn’t be doing in my life,” Lavey said.

“But it’s up to me in the end. If it’s going to make me happy, if it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while, I think it’s really good.

“It’s something I haven’t taken lightly. If people want to know that, they can come and ask me. Otherwise I’m not too worried about what other people are saying.”