There is no end to the Minnesota Lynx’s pain. Despite riding high with a 24-5 record, their championship chase just hit a speed bump. Star forward Napheesa Collier suffered a right ankle sprain during a 111-58 rout of the Las Vegas Aces on August 2, 2025.
The team announced she’ll be out for at least two weeks. This news came as a tough blow for a squad aiming to secure the No. 1 seed and a fifth title. Fans are breathing a sigh of relief, though, as imaging showed no major damage, with a re-evaluation set for mid-August.
Napheesa Collier To Miss Two Weeks Of Action After Ankle Injury
The Lynx got their championship dream hindered after the WNBA’s MVP frontrunner got injured late in the third quarter of a historic blowout. It was the largest road win in WNBA history. Despite the Lynx’s commanding lead, her absence stings as they head into a challenging stretch. It will start with a game against the Seattle Storm on August 5.
Breaking: Napheesa Collier will be sidelined for at least two weeks with a right ankle sprain, sources tell @kendra__andrews. pic.twitter.com/8OBwbzcYJm
— ESPN (@espn) August 4, 2025
Napheesa Collier’s injury had Lynx fans holding their breath. With less than a minute left in the third quarter against the Aces, she collided with teammate Alanna Smith while chasing a rebound, rolling her ankle and collapsing in pain.
Players from both teams, including A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray, surrounded her, shielding her from the crowd as she writhed on the floor. It was a tough visual for anybody to watch their MVP go down in pain. However, Collier limped off with help but was in good spirits, spending time with her daughter, Mila, in the locker room.
An MRI confirmed a sprain, not a break, and she’s expected to miss at least four games, potentially returning August 19 against the Liberty. However, Collier’s been a beast this season, averaging 23.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks on 53.7% shooting. She is in high spirits, keeping her as the MVP favorite at -200 odds. But with tough games ahead, including matchups against Seattle and New York, the Lynx can’t afford to slip. Can their depth hold up without her?
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Lynx Hopeful Of Roster Depth In Napheesa Collier’s Absence
The Lynx’s 5.5-game lead over the New York Liberty gives them some wiggle room, but losing Collier hurts. Right before heading off the court, she also won July’s Western Conference Player of the Month.
Amid the injury shakeup, Minnesota recently traded for defensive star DiJonai Carrington to pack up their backcourt. After the trade, Alanna Smith and Jess Shepard would need to step up in the frontcourt. The Lynx went 2-1 without Collier earlier this season, but facing Seattle, Washington, and three games against a Liberty team also missing Breanna Stewart will be a test of their time.
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