One minute after Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve’s crash ended her season, the disappointment was clear, especially as WNBA officials faced criticism during the playoffs when Napheesa Collier had to leave the final game due to an injury.
Although the WNBA season won’t kick off until next spring, Collier, who co-founded the 3-on-3 winter league Unrivaled, will require additional recovery time following major surgery.
Lynx star Napheesa Collier is set to undergo an extensive rehabilitation process after suffering a severe ankle injury that demanded surgery, sparking criticism from Collier towards WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert regarding the team’s playoff exit.
A former Rookie of the Year, Collier lost her first MVP title in 2025 but still ranked second in the league for the second year running, posting a career-best average of 22.9 points per game.
Over the past year, she has also gained recognition as a top player in the virtual basketball world, achieving the highest overall rating of 98 in NBA 2K26, surpassing MVP A’ja Wilson.
Her recovery is expected to take four to six months, which might delay her return until between April and June, potentially causing her to miss the start of the WNBA season and preventing her from competing in the Unrivaled League this winter.
Last season, the Minnesota Lynx finished first in the WNBA but were defeated in the semifinals by the Phoenix Mercury. The team is striving for its fifth WNBA Championship.
After trading away the chance to draft Angel Reese in 2024, the Lynx now hold the second overall pick in 2026, giving them a significant opportunity to select a strong player to join Collier.
Fan Take: This news is a tough blow for Lynx fans and the WNBA as a whole, as Collier is a key player whose absence could reshape the upcoming season. Her recovery and return will be pivotal not only for the Lynx’s championship hopes but also for maintaining the league’s competitive excitement and spotlight on star athletes.
