After dominating two regular seasons, the Lynx ended up trophyless. For the 2026 season, the franchise is looking to add more talent to back their superstars in the game. Then came the bad news, as Napheesa Collier’s injury needed surgery. While fans were looking for a schedule for Collier’s return after surgery on both ankles, they got more sad news about Kayla McBride.
McBride didn’t participate in the Unrivaled league and instead played for the Turkish basketball powerhouse Fenerbahçe S.K. The decision, which now seems to be impacting the franchise’s plans.
Kayla McBride Suffers Serious Injury
After landing a second overall pick for the 2026 WNBA draft, the Lynx were hunting for top prospects who could fit in the Lynx system. HC Cheryl Reeve and Danielle Robinson were scouting UCLA’s Lauren Betts. However, the side might shift in another direction after McBride’s injury.
McBride played in two games for Fenerbahçe, averaging 11.5 points per game. But the star got injured during a training session, as per the club’s official update. The player was diagnosed with a quadriceps tear. The Turkish team was preparing for a game against the Italian club Umana Reyser Venetia.
Kayla McBride’ın sağlık durumu hakkında bilgilendirme
— Fenerbahçe Opet (@fbkadinbasket) January 22, 2026
Oyuncumuz Kayla McBride, takımımızın Umana Reyer Venezia maçı yolculuğu öncesi İstanbul’da yaptığı antrenmanda sağ uyluk bölgesinden sakatlık yaşamıştır.
Sporcumuzun Medicana Ataşehir Hastanesi’nde yapılan kontrollerinin… pic.twitter.com/r20P25fIN7
McBride will undergo surgery to fix the tear. The normal recovery period for the tear in the quadriceps muscle is three to four months, while the complete ruptures require 3–6 months for full recovery.
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The former Notre Dame player played a key role in the Lynx’s recent dominance with her elite long-range shooting, averaging 2.6 triples per game. She has a deep connection with the Minnesota franchise as she expressed her feelings at the end of the 2025 season.
Kayla McBride Disappointed After Lynx’s Playoff Exit
In Game 4 against the Mercury, Collier and Reeves were out, and the team relied heavily on its backcourt duo of McBride and Courtney Williams. The shooting guard in particular was efficient with 31 points in the game. Sadly, the Mercury came out on top in the end, eliminating the 2024 finalist in the semifinals.
In the post-game interview, the 33-year-old became emotional as she discussed the playoff exit. “You want it for the people that grind with you every single day, the good days, bad days, bus rides, locker room, like in pro sports. It doesn’t get as good. It doesn’t get any better than what we have in our locker room,” McBride said.
Kayla McBride is tearing up after the heartbreaker in the postgame presser. She finished the game with 31 points #WNBA pic.twitter.com/nynkANQd6Q
— Aya Abdeen (@ayabdeen) September 29, 2025
“That’s why I’m emotional because we lay it out for each other. There’s never anything else but each other. To be close, two years in a row, and hit adverse situations each and every time, for your sisters, your family, it hurts,” the Lynx Star added.
Not having Collier and their five-time all-star guard will definitely impact the Lynx’s plans, as the 2026 season starts on May 9, per the schedule. It will now be interesting to watch their next move, as the Lynx could draft guard Olivia Miles and are already positioned to maximize her potential.