Minnesota Lynx's celebrated forward, Napheesa Collier, a five-time WNBA All-Star, is set to be sidelined until at least June following a successful surgical procedure on her left ankle. The team confirmed on Tuesday that Collier's recovery is advancing as anticipated, marking a crucial step in her journey back to the court after a challenging period plagued by injuries. This recent surgery addresses a persistent issue that has impacted her performance and participation in various basketball engagements.
Collier's ankle troubles intensified during the 2025 WNBA season. She initially suffered a right ankle sprain in August during a victory against the Las Vegas Aces, although she continued to play through the discomfort for the remainder of the season. A more significant setback occurred in September of the same year, when she sustained a severe left ankle injury during Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury. This incident, resulting from a collision with Alyssa Thomas, led to torn ligaments in her ankle and a muscle tear in her shin, preventing her from finishing the game.
Initially, in December, it was thought that her left ankle would not require surgical intervention. However, this diagnosis was revised in January, necessitating multiple procedures to repair the damage. A return to action by June aligns with the projected four-to-six-month recovery timeline for such an injury. Despite these physical challenges, Collier, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and four-time All-WNBA player, recently re-signed with the Minnesota Lynx on a one-year agreement, reaffirming her commitment to the franchise that drafted her sixth overall in 2019.
Beyond her WNBA commitments, Collier is also a co-founder of Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 women's basketball league, alongside Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty. Her left ankle injury regrettably forced her to miss the entire 2026 season of this burgeoning league, which she had previously graced as the inaugural Unrivaled MVP in 2025, playing for the Lunar Owls BC. Her absence from Unrivaled underscores the severity of her injury and the comprehensive recovery process she is undertaking.
Napheesa Collier's journey highlights the resilience and dedication inherent in professional athletes. Her focused rehabilitation aims to restore her to full health, enabling her to once again showcase her formidable skills on the basketball court for both the Minnesota Lynx and potentially in future Unrivaled seasons. The basketball community eagerly awaits her return, confident in her ability to overcome this hurdle and continue her impactful career.
