After a back-to-back win, the Phoenix Mercury holds a commanding 2-1 lead against the Minnesota Lynx. Game 4 could be their chance to advance to the WNBA finals for the first time since 2021. While the Mercury team has favorable conditions, hosting game 4, the Lynx side has more concerning news about Napheesa Collier.
Cameras caught Collier’s brutal collision with Alyssa Thomas, which ruled out the Minnesota Lynx’s star in Game 3. Now, after evaluating the condition, reports suggest that she will miss Game 4 of the series.
Napheesa Collier To Miss Crucial Game 4
The initial look of the collision and injury to the former UConn star already raised concerns over her availability for the rest of the season. HC Cheryl Reeves even mentioned that the forward ‘probably has a fracture’ in the postgame interview.
Cheryl Reeve criticized officiating after an ejection in the postgame interview and mentioned that the players will get hurt with the physicality allowed by the league. Also, she noted that the 28-year-old star had five fouls in the game and received none.
“One of the best players in the league shot zero free throws. Zero. And she had five fouls… She got her shoulder pulled out and finished the game with her leg being taken out. And probably has a fracture,” the 57-year-old HC said.
Her prediction about missing the forward was correct, as the ESPN reporter Alexa Philippou confirmed the news on ‘X’. She wrote, “Napheesa Collier has been ruled out for Game 4 with a left ankle injury, the Lynx announced.”
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Napheesa Collier has been ruled out for Game 4 with a left ankle injury, the Lynx announced
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) September 28, 2025
Phee missed seven games earlier in the regular season with a right ankle sprain. She suffered the injury after landing awkwardly in Minnesota’s blowout victory over the Las Vegas Aces on August 2. During that period, the league leaders went 5-2. But for the playoff series, against a stacked team like the Mercury, the Lynx will surely miss her. But, for the Lynx, their top scorer won’t be the only absentee in Game 4.
Napheesa Collier’s Absence Doubles The Trouble For Minnesota Lynx
Though the 6-foot-1 forward will be a massive blow in the must-win game, the Lynx side will also be without its HC in the game. The WNBA suspended Reeve for one game due to her behavior on the court and a rant against officiating during the Mercury’s 84-76 win in Game 3. Sharing the news on social media, the league stated her conduct included verbal abuse, failure to leave the court, inappropriate comments to fans, and a postgame press conference.
Minnesota Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve Suspended pic.twitter.com/RgBAwRwOZa
— WNBA Communications (@WNBAComms) September 27, 2025
Reeve rushed onto the court, confronting the officials after Collier fell on the ground. She wanted a foul and argued fiercely with the referees. She received a second technical in the game. Without Collier and Reeve, the Minnesota Lynx will have a massive challenge in front of them.