Devastating Blow: Napheesa Collier Faces Six-Month Sideline After Ankle Injury in Lynx’s Heartbreaking Loss..
In a night that turned from tense playoff battle to outright tragedy for the Minnesota Lynx, star forward Napheesa Collier was dealt a crushing blow. Following an MRI evaluation Saturday morning, the team confirmed Collier has suffered a severe left ankle fracture, sidelining the MVP finalist for approximately six months. The injury occurred in the waning seconds of the Lynx’s 84-76 defeat to the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals on September 26, putting Minnesota on the brink of elimination.
The drama unfolded at PHX Arena, where the No. 1-seeded Lynx—favorites to reach the Finals—fought valiantly but couldn’t overcome the Mercury’s home-court fire. Trailing 82-76 with 23.8 seconds left, Collier battled Phoenix forward Alyssa Thomas for a loose ball near midcourt. Thomas swiped it cleanly, but incidental knee contact sent Collier crashing to the floor, twisting her left ankle awkwardly. Clutching her leg in agony, the 28-year-old forward was helped off by trainers and did not return
Collier, who finished with 17 points, six rebounds, and three assists, had been Minnesota’s offensive engine all postseason. Her absence earlier this season—a two-week right ankle sprain in August—tested the team’s depth, but they went 5-2 without her.
This latest setback, however, is far graver. “It’s a fracture,” head coach Cheryl Reeve grimly revealed postgame, her voice laced with fury. Reeve’s frustration boiled over; incensed by what she called a missed foul, she unleashed a tirade at officials, earning a second technical foul and ejection with 21.8 seconds remaining. Dragged away by staff, Reeve later lambasted the league’s officiating in a profanity-laced presser, demanding systemic change.
On the court, Phoenix seized momentum. Satou Sabally erupted for 24 points, including clutch fourth-quarter buckets, while Thomas added 19 points and 13 assists, sealing the steal-and-score that iced the game.
Kahleah Copper chipped in 19, exploiting Minnesota’s foul-troubled frontcourt. The Mercury, now leading 2-1, held the Lynx to just nine points in the final frame, their defense suffocating. Natisha Hiedeman led Minnesota with 19 off the bench, but the loss amplified the injury’s sting—Collier was seen scooting postgame on a wheeled device, a stark symbol of the road ahead.
For a Lynx squad that stormed through the regular season with the league’s best record, this feels like a gut punch. Collier, the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year averaging 23.5 points and 7.5 rebounds, embodied their championship aspirations. Her recovery timeline—targeting March 2026—threatens not just Game 4 on Sunday but the entire 2026 campaign.
Reeve, ever defiant, rallied her troops: “We’ve faced adversity before. This team doesn’t quit.” Yet with Collier out, depth players like Courtney Williams (14 points) and Kayla McBride (12) must step up against a surging Mercury. Phoenix, buoyed by first-year post-Taurasi magic, stands one win from the Finals.
As the WNBA world mourns a potential dynasty derailed, Collier’s resilience shines through. “She’s our heart,” Reeve said. In a league of warriors, her comeback story will inspire—but for now, the Lynx fight on without their brightest star.
