Napheesa Collier was in the middle of an MVP-caliber season when a sudden ankle injury stopped her momentum cold. The Minnesota Lynx superstar hasn’t played since spraining her right ankle earlier this month, and the timing couldn’t be worse with the playoffs right around the corner.
On a recent podcast appearance, the WNBA MVP frontrunner didn’t hold back when asked about her current situation. Her honest words were simple yet powerful, and they reveal just how tough this moment has been for her.
Napheesa Collier Shares Honest Take on Injury Setback Before WNBA Playoffs
On the latest episode of Bird’s Eye View With Sue Bird, Collier was asked about being sidelined with a right ankle sprain that has kept her out since Aug. 2. The star forward spoke with raw honesty.
“It sucks,” Collier admitted. “I wish I weren’t in this position, but maybe it’s good my body needed this rest. I believe everything happens for a reason. So, maybe I just needed this rest for different parts of my body. And then hopefully I’ll just come back really well rested for the playoffs and we’ll make our push.”
Collier’s injury came during Minnesota’s historic 53-point win over the Las Vegas Aces on Aug. 2, a night that was supposed to be about dominance, not disappointment. She has now missed seven straight games, but there is hope. The Lynx upgraded her status to probable for the Sunday, Aug. 24 matchup against the Indiana Fever, signaling her return may be close.
Lynx Stay Strong While Awaiting Collier’s Return
While losing an MVP candidate could have derailed most teams, the Lynx have stayed strong. Minnesota is 5–2 without Collier and has already clinched a playoff berth. That safety net eases some of the pressure on her comeback. Instead of rushing back, she can use the remaining regular-season games to find her rhythm before the postseason push.
Meanwhile, the Lynx are also chasing history. With eight games left, they need six wins to break the 2023 Las Vegas Aces’ single-season record of 34 victories. Thanks to this year’s expanded schedule, Minnesota has extra opportunities to cement itself as one of the greatest regular-season teams in WNBA history.
Individually, Collier’s return could define her season as well. She leads the league in scoring with 23.5 points per game, along with 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Before the injury, she was the clear frontrunner for MVP, but missing time has allowed rivals like A’ja Wilson to close the gap.
If Collier comes back strong, she not only strengthens Minnesota’s title hopes but also keeps herself firmly in the MVP conversation. After all, this could be the season where she finally claims her first WNBA championship and caps it with the league’s top individual honor.