Napheesa Collier opens up about why surgery became unavoidable, and what it means for her return timeline.
Napheesa Collier’s ankle surgery decision has become a clear turning point in Minnesota’s offseason story.
The Lynx star was last seen leaving the floor in tears during the fourth quarter of Game 3 of the semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury. an injury that ultimately swung the series momentum and preceded Minnesota’s elimination in Game 4 with Collier sidelined.. Entering the new season. Collier is aiming to reset the narrative after an ending that was anything but what the team had planned.
For Collier, the shift toward surgery came after months of uncertainty and effort.. She said she tried to rehabilitate first, but neither ankle improved, pushing her to seek a specialist’s guidance.. What she heard led her to change her approach mentally. framing the process as work to get healthy for the WNBA season rather than something to endure.
This matters because an elite player’s ability to manage recovery is often as important as the injury itself. How Collier handles rehab now could shape how quickly Minnesota regains its usual rhythm later.
Collier underwent surgery in March. a move that will keep her out of the second season of Unrivaled and is expected to delay her early-season availability with the Lynx.. While she is working toward a June return. the timeline underscores how the consequences of one playoff injury can extend well beyond the final buzzer.
Even with the setback, Collier’s recent history with Minnesota remains a reason for optimism.. She recently re-signed with the Lynx and followed up an outstanding season that put her among the league’s elite. including finishing as runner-up in the MVP race.. Her two-way impact has been a defining feature of Minnesota’s success. combining scoring. rebounding. and defensive production in a way that few players consistently sustain.
In this context, Collier’s comments also highlight a practical truth for athletes at the highest level: sometimes the best path forward is accepting that rest and rehab alone won’t solve the problem. Surgery, though difficult, can become the moment a recovery plan finally turns decisive.
For now. Misryoum will be watching Minnesota’s early season without one of its key anchors. while Collier continues the rehabilitation that she says is now fully focused on returning ready for the WNBA grind.. At the end of the day. the question isn’t whether she wants to be back. but how swiftly her body can respond to a plan built around getting healthy the right way.