Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier will be out for at least two weeks. Collier, 28, suffered a right ankle sprain in Saturday’s game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Paradise, Nevada. Collier’s injury is a devastating blow to the Lynx roster. Here’s why.
Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier Out
Minnesota Lynx Forward Napheesa Collier suffered an injury late in the third quarter of Saturday’s game. Collier’s injury turned out to be a right ankle sprain after the 28-year-old underwent an MRI on Monday. Collier will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks, the Lynx announced.
ESPN’s Kendra Andrews posted on X, formerly Twitter, “BREAKING: Napheesa Collier will be sidelined for at least two weeks with a right ankle sprain, sources tell ESPN. Imagining revealed she avoided major injury when she went down against the Aces on Sunday.”
Andrews’ post attracted much attention. One user responded, “Hopefully that’s a message to all coaches to take your star players out of blow out games and to not have them stat padding.” Another user commented, “I was bracing myself for longer.”
Lynx’s Outlook Without Collier
The Minnesota Lynx’s outlook without Napheesa Collier is doable, but unsettling. The league-leading Lynx will return to action on Tuesday night against the Seattle Storm at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. The Lynx will make do without Collier, who will be out for at least four games based on a two-week timeline.
Collier’s presence has helped the Lynx maintain relevance in the WNBA. Collier isn’t only a Lynx star, but also a WNBA MVP frontrunner. The Jefferson, Missouri native averaged 23.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game before the terrifying injury.
Final Thoughts
The Minnesota Lynx can’t change the past and take Napheesa Collier out of Saturday’s game due to the time and score. However, Minnesota can put in the work to prove the naysayers wrong and keep the No. 1 seed by tackling the toughest stretch thus far this season, while making sure Collier is fully healthy upon returning to the court.
