Here’s a heartbreaking blow for basketball fans: Minnesota Lynx superstar Napheesa Collier will miss the entire Unrivaled season due to double ankle surgery, leaving fans and teammates reeling. But here's where it gets even more complicated—this isn’t just any player; Collier is a co-founder of the 3-on-3 league and its reigning MVP, making her absence a significant setback for the young competition. The league announced Thursday that Collier, who had been rehabbing from ankle injuries sustained during the WNBA season, will be sidelined for four to six months following the procedures.
Collier’s road to recovery has been a rollercoaster. Last month, she expressed optimism about returning to full strength in time for Unrivaled’s second season, which tips off Monday. However, a ‘joint team of medical staff’ determined that surgery on both ankles was necessary. And this is the part most people miss—the injuries date back to the WNBA season, where Collier, the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, suffered a sprained right ankle in an August game against the Las Vegas Aces, followed by a left ankle injury in the WNBA semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury.
While Collier’s absence is undoubtedly a loss, Temi Fágbénlé will step into her spot on the Lunar Owls for the 2026 season. But here’s the controversial question: With Collier’s dual role as player and co-founder, how will her absence impact the league’s momentum? And could this be a turning point for Unrivaled, forcing it to prove its resilience without one of its biggest stars? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think Unrivaled can thrive without Collier on the court, or is her presence irreplaceable?
