Minnesota Lynx star Nafeesa Collier has undergone surgery on both of her ankles and is expected to be sidelined for four to six months, including the upcoming season of the 3-on-3 Women’s Basketball League, Unrivaled, the league announced Thursday.
Collier had been rehabilitating an ankle injury sustained during the WNBA season and was determined to return for the second season of Unrivaled starting Monday. However, she revealed last month that despite her efforts, surgery was necessary after consultations with medical professionals.
In an Instagram statement, Collier expressed her heartbreak over missing the Unrivaled season, explaining that she had been fighting to recover but was surprised by the doctors’ recommendation for surgery. The 2024 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year initially sprained her right ankle in a game against the Las Vegas Aces in August and later injured her left ankle during Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals versus the Phoenix Mercury.
Unrivaled, co-founded by Collier and fellow WNBA star Brianna Stewart, stated that a collaborative medical team decided surgery was essential. Collier, last season’s MVP of the 3-on-3 league, vowed to continue supporting her teammates and working to advance women’s basketball, with hopes of returning stronger soon.
Temi Fagbenle will step in to replace Collier on the Lunar Owls for the 2026 season.
—
Fan Take: This update is significant for WNBA fans as it highlights the resilience and dedication of one of the league’s top players, Nafeesa Collier, while also reminding us of the physical toll professional basketball takes on athletes. Her absence is a setback for Unrivaled and the Lynx but also underscores the importance of health and recovery in sustaining a long and impactful career in women’s basketball.
