Napheesa Collier said goodbye to her 2025 title dreams the moment Alyssa Thomas collided with her ankle. Collier fell to the court and limped to the locker room with tears in her eyes. She tore three ligaments in her ankle and a muscle in her shin. And it eventually led to a 3-1 loss to the Mercury in the semifinals. Now, beginning a new season with a refreshed attitude, that injury is set to keep her out for the early part of the 2026 season.

The Minnesota Lynx almost returned to their old ways. During the years between 2011 and 2017, the Lynx won 4 titles. A finals and a semifinals appearance later, they lost multiple stars in free agency. Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepherd went to the Dallas Wings, Bridget Carleton to the Fire and DiJonai Carrington to the Sky. Their No. 1-seeded squad was gutted. Napheesa Collier’s absence to start the season just makes things worse. 

“Collier underwent successful surgery on her left ankle on March 24,” The Lynx said in the announcement. “Her rehabilitation is progressing as expected, and the current timeline for a return to on-court activities is early June.”

Napheesa Collier injured her left ankle in that Game 3 against Mercury but had some right ankle issues early that season. So, she decided to undergo surgeries on both her ankles back in January, which ruled her out for 4-6 months. She was seen with a cast on the right ankle during Unrivaled, which means this is her final surgery. Despite her delayed arrival almost being confirmed, Collier has signed a supermax contract with the Lynx valued at $1.4 million. But it’s just for one year in light of her injury. 

“I’m so focused on right now with my injury and this year winning a championship,” she revealed. “That is what I’m doing. So getting back with amazing staff, playing with our amazing players, and just focus on this year and winning.”

With her return now slated in June, she is set to miss 10 games minimum. The number is very likely higher, as Collier won’t be game-fit immediately and would require some practice. So, it’s questionable whether the $1.4 million for a year makes sense considering Collier is missing 25-30% of the season. 

There is no doubt Collier will impact winning. She averaged 22.9 points and 7.3 rebounds despite her injury woes last season. However, the Lynx have gambled that Collier will have enough impact to justify the contract after two surgeries in limited time. However, beyond just the on-court aspect, Napheesa Collier will be essential in managing the team’s transition as a mentor. 

Napheesa Collier’s Mentorship Will Be Key For Lynx’s Success

Napheesa Collier, Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride are the only starters, and the only three among the team’s top nine are back from last season. The team has signed Natasha Howard from the Indiana Fever, while drafting their “first pure point guard since Lindsay Whalen,” Olivia Miles. They have added Hopkins-grad Nia Coffey and Dorku Juhasz as well. In the training camp roster, there are just 5 players who have played more than 2 years in the league.  With his major turnover, the experience of Collier will be essential for these new youngsters to blend in.

“I think it’s them understanding what the next level is like,” McBride said. “For somebody like me, Courtney, and Fee being here, we’ve been in so many different situations in our experience. Them coming in, they haven’t been in that environment yet, so being able to take what we see here and help them along the way wherever they go is really special.”

They will have a floor general in Olivia Miles with her elite vision and scoring, given the opportunity by Cheryl Reeve. She is set to take the reins immediately at the next level and Collier is already helping with that transition. “She’s just an incredible vet,” Miles said. “I wouldn’t want to learn from anyone else… we were just talking and I asked her, what would you tell your rookie self now?’ and she was just telling me to play free… she’s someone just so approachable and so knowledgeable about the game.”

So, even while Collier is on the sidelines, she will be useful to this team, bringing the intangibles of her leadership.