Minnesota Lynx superstar and Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier will undergo surgery on both ankles next week, forcing her to miss the entire 2026 Unrivaled season and potentially the start of the upcoming WNBA campaign.
The announcement came on New Year’s Day from Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 league Collier helped launch alongside Breanna Stewart. A joint medical evaluation by staff from the Lynx and Unrivaled determined that surgical intervention was necessary after rehabilitation efforts stalled.
Collier, the reigning Unrivaled MVP from its inaugural 2025 season, had been optimistic about returning in time for the league’s second season, which tips off on January 5.
“I have fought hard over the last few months to be back with my Owls and was devastated to be told by my team of doctors that surgery was the best path forward,” Collier posted on Instagram. “I will still be cheering on my teammates every step of the way.”
The injuries trace back to the 2025 WNBA season. In August, Collier sprained her right ankle during a game against the Las Vegas Aces, causing her to miss several weeks and impacting her MVP candidacy (she finished second in voting despite the absences).
The lingering right ankle issue required attention, including repair of torn ligaments. Then, in a devastating moment during Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury, Collier suffered a Grade 2 tear of three ligaments in her left ankle, plus a shin muscle injury, after a collision with Alyssa Thomas.
Despite the pain, Collier had initially avoided surgery through aggressive rehab. As recently as mid-December, she expressed confidence in being ready for Unrivaled without going under the knife.
However, further examinations revealed that her recovery had plateaued, prompting the decision for bilateral ankle procedures.
Collier’s absence is a significant blow to Unrivaled, where she dominated last season and played a key off-court role as co-founder.
Temi Fágbénlé will replace her on the Lunar Owls roster.
The 4-6 month timeline raises questions about her availability for the 2026 WNBA season, which typically begins in May. At best, she could return mid-season; at worst, she might miss the early portion as she ramps back up.
