WNBA fans are holding their breaths after yet another injury to one of the league’s foundational players.
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier had to be helped off the floor during Saturday’s game against the Las Vegas Aces due to an apparent ankle injury.
The injury occurred late in the third quarter when Collier, 28, appeared to step on teammate Alanna Smith’s foot while trailing a layup attempt, causing her to land awkwardly near the baseline. Collier attempted to stand, but sat back down for several minutes before walking off the court gingerly with assistance.
Collier, who had 18 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals in 26 minutes, was officially ruled out for the game midway through the fourth quarter. The Lynx pulled away to win 111-58, breaking the WNBA record for largest road victory.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said postgame that Collier would undergo testing in the coming days, but added that it was too early to know the extent of her injury.
“It’s just way too early,” Reeve said via the Associated Press. “At this point in time, I don’t know exactly what’s happening.”
Napheesa Collier is the WNBA MVP Favorite
Collier is having an outstanding season for the first-place Lynx (24-5). An All-Star captain, Collier is averaging a league-high 23.5 points on 53.7% shooting to go with 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.6 blocks. She also ranks fifth in minutes played at 32.8 per game.
Collier won Defensive Player of the Year last season and is a heavy frontrunner to take home her first MVP award in 2025. In fact, BetMGM lists the 6-foot-1 forward as a -1000 favorite, ahead of Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas (+700) and New York’s Breanna Stewart (+2500).
Collier was recently voted by her peers as the WNBA’s top player in an anonymous poll conducted by the Athletic. She received 17 of the 36 votes cast to finish ahead of Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson (17), Stewart (2), Thomas (1) and Atlanta’s Allisha Gray (1).
“I love players who make the game look effortless, and her footwork is unreal,” one player said.
Severity of Napheesa Collier’s Injury is Unknown
It has been a tough season for injuries in the WNBA. Caitlin Clark remains out with a strained groin, while Wilson (wrist), Rhyne Howard (knee), Paige Bueckers (knee) and Stewart (knee) have also missed time.
Following Saturday’s game, Reeve did not say whether Collier would travel to Seattle for the team’s next game, Tuesday against the Storm, or return to Minnesota. It’s uncertain how long she may be out.
Owners of the WNBA’s best record, the Lynx obviously can ill-afford to lose Collier for an extended stretch.
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