Minnesota Lynx forward and WNBA MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier will be sidelined for at least two weeks after suffering a right ankle sprain, sources confirmed to ESPN. The team announced Monday that Collier will be reevaluated in the coming weeks, though imaging revealed she avoided a serious injury.
The injury occurred late in the third quarter of the Lynx’s dominant 111–58 victory over the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday. With Minnesota leading by 43 points, Collier came down awkwardly while fighting for an offensive rebound and remained on the court in visible pain. She eventually walked off with assistance from the training staff.
Despite the scare, teammate Kayla McBride said Collier was in “good spirits” following the game. “Obviously, you hate to see anybody go down, but especially your MVP,” McBride told reporters. “We just wish the best for her. We just want her to be healthy.”
Collier has been instrumental to the Lynx’s success this season, leading the league with 23.8 points per game and averaging 7.7 rebounds. Minnesota currently holds a 5½-game lead over the New York Liberty in the standings.
The Lynx will need to rally in Collier’s absence as they prepare for a pivotal stretch of the season.
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