Nafeesa Collier is facing a challenging start to the new year. The Lynx star forward will miss the upcoming season of Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 offseason league he co-founded with Liberty’s Brianna Stewart, as he is set to undergo surgery on both ankles, with a recovery period of four to six months, according to the team’s announcement on Thursday morning.
The surgery is scheduled to take place in New York City during the first week of January, performed by Dr. Martin O’Malley. Although the WNBA season doesn’t start until May, the Lynx may be without their top player at the beginning of the 2026 season.
Collier, a five-time All-Star, suffered multiple ankle injuries throughout the WNBA season. Despite being a leading MVP candidate, she finished second to A’ja Wilson for the second consecutive year. Her injuries also hampered the Lynx’s bid to return to the WNBA Finals after a five-game loss to the Liberty in 2024.
She sprained her right ankle in a game against the Aces on August 2, sidelining her for three weeks. In the playoffs, she tore three ligaments in her left ankle during Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals against the Mercury. The Lynx, who entered the postseason as the top seed and dominated in the regular season, were ultimately defeated in four games, allowing Phoenix to advance to the Finals.
In a December virtual press conference, Collier expressed optimism about being ready for Unrivaled’s second season, initially stating she didn’t require surgery and was working to be fully recovered by January. However, just days before the season opener, after consultations in Miami and Minnesota, it was decided that surgery was necessary for proper recovery.
Temi Fagbenle from the Valkyries will take Collier’s place on the Lunar Owls roster. Despite the injuries, Collier had an impressive rookie WNBA season, averaging 22.9 points per game with a shooting accuracy of 53% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc.
Fan Take: This news is significant for WNBA fans as Collier is a rising star whose presence greatly impacts her team’s performance and the league’s excitement. Her injury and recovery journey will be closely watched, highlighting the physical demands of professional women’s basketball and the resilience required to succeed.
