Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier has officially ruled herself out of participating in the upcoming Unrivaled season after confirming she will undergo surgery on both ankles, a procedure expected to sideline her for four to six months.
The announcement, confirmed Thursday by the 3-on-3 women’s basketball league, marks another challenging chapter in a year that has tested Collier both physically and emotionally.
The decision comes after months of rehabilitation following significant ankle injuries sustained during the WNBA season.
As recently as last month, Collier expressed optimism that she could return to full strength in time to compete for Lunar Owls BC when Unrivaled‘s second season tips off Monday.
Ultimately, however, her medical team determined surgery was the best long-term path forward. In a statement posted on Instagram, Collier said. “I am heartbroken to share that I will miss this Unrivaled season.
“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.”
Despite the disappointment, Collier made it clear she remains deeply committed to the league and her teammates.
“I will still be cheering on my teammates every step of the way, and I will continue to work relentlessly with the rest of the players and our staff to push our sport forward and raise the bar for women’s basketball.”
How Napheesa Collier got injured
The need for surgery traces back to a grueling 2025 campaign with the Lynx.
On August 2, during a blowout win over the Las Vegas Aces, Collier sprained her right ankle on a fastbreak late in the third quarter with the Lynx leading by 43 points.
She missed the following three weeks and appeared in only seven of the team’s final 15 games. At the time of the injury, Collier was widely viewed as the front-runner for league MVP.
But her extended absence opened the door for A’ja Wilson of the Aces, who ultimately claimed the award for the fourth time.
The postseason brought further heartbreak. With less than a minute remaining in Game 3 of the Lynx‘s semifinal series against the Phoenix Mercury, Collier tore three ligaments in her left ankle and a muscle in her left shin during a controversial collision with Alyssa Thomas.
Despite finishing the regular season 34-10 and tying the single-season wins record, the title-favorite Lynx were eliminated in Game 4 as Collier watched from the bench.
Beyond her on-court impact, Collier remains a central figure in league-wide matters. As a member of the WNBPA executive council, she has been involved in ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations with the WNBA.
Players authorized union leadership to call a strike on December 18 if necessary, with increased salaries and revenue sharing among the key unresolved issues.
Who will replace Napheesa Collier?
While Collier‘s farewell to Unrivaled is temporary, her recovery timeline will be closely monitored as she works toward returning healthy, determined, and ready to resume her role as one of women’s basketball’s defining stars.
In the meantime, Unrivaled announced that Temi Fágbénlé has signed a multiyear contract and will join the Owls for the 2026 season.
Fágbénlé, who plays for the Golden State Valkyries at center, is expected to play alongside a number of big-name stars.
Aaliyah Edwards, Rebecca Allen, Skylar Diggins, Marina Mabrey and Rachel Banham also belong to the team, providing stability and frontcourt depth as the league moves forward without one of its marquee stars this year.
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