Napheesa Collier Undergoes Ankle Surgery, Expected to Miss Start of 2026 WNBA Season Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier underwent successful ankle surgery in January 2026 and is expected to miss the beginning of the 2026 WNBA season as she continues her recovery. The procedure addressed a Grade 2 tear of three ankle ligaments and damage to her shin muscle sustained during a collision in Game 3 of the 2025 WNBA semifinals. Collier’s injury occurred during the Lynx’s playoff series against the Connecticut Sun, where she collided with Alyssa Thomas. Following the injury, she underwent offseason surgery on both ankles in January 2026. In an Instagram post at the time, Collier expressed her disappointment at missing the 2026 season of Unrivaled, the 3×3 basketball league she co-founded with Breanna Stewart, but affirmed her commitment to supporting her teammates and advancing women’s basketball. Despite the setback, Collier remains under contract with the Minnesota Lynx. On April 16, 2026, ESPN reported that she had signed a one-year, $1.4 million super max contract to remain with the team through the 2026 season. The Lynx officially announced her re-signing on April 23, 2026, though financial terms were not disclosed per team policy. Collier’s 2025 season was historic before her injury. She became just the second player in WNBA history to achieve a 50-40-90 shooting season — recording at least 50% field goal accuracy, 40% three-point accuracy, and 90% free throw accuracy. She also set career highs in points per game (22.9) and blocks per game (1.5), helping Minnesota achieve a franchise-best 34-10 regular-season record. Her performance earned her All-WNBA First Team and All-Defensive First Team honors. A five-time WNBA All-Star (2019, 2021, 2023–2025), Collier was named WNBA All-Star Game MVP in 2025 and won the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2024. She has also been named to the All-WNBA First Team three consecutive years (2023–2025) and earned All-Defensive First Team recognition in both 2024 and 2025. As of April 2026, Collier has not been cleared for full participation in team activities. The Lynx have not provided a definitive timeline for her return, but she is expected to miss at least the opening weeks of the 2026 WNBA season, which begins on May 8. Her recovery will be monitored closely by the team’s medical staff, with a focus on ensuring a full and safe return to play. Collier continues to perform with the Lynx’s training and coaching staff during her rehabilitation, maintaining her involvement with the team despite her absence from on-court activities. Her leadership and experience remain valuable assets as Minnesota prepares for the upcoming season.
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