Napheesa Collier out until June after ankle surgery
Collier, who just signed a one-year supermax deal, has had surgery on both ankles in 2026
www.cbssports.comHere’s the latest on Napheesa Collier based on recent reporting:
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Napheesa Collier underwent surgery on both ankles in early 2026 and is not expected to return to on-court activity until around June 2026. She signed a one-year supermax contract with the Minnesota Lynx for 2026 but will miss the start of the season due to rehab from the ankle procedures. This update came from the Lynx and was reported by multiple outlets in April 2026 [sources: CBS Sports report on April 21, 2026; FOX Sports briefings in May 2026].
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Collier previously had an impactful 2025 season, averaging 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.5 blocks in about 32 minutes across 33 games, which helped fuel her one-year supermax deal with Minnesota. Media notes highlighted her All-Star and All-WNBA First Team performances from 2025 as the basis for the contract. She also cited ongoing rehab as a factor in her early-2026 absence [CBS Sports recap of 2025 performance; FOX Sports summaries in 2026].
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There is ongoing discussion about her impact when she returns, including how the Lynx will fill the gap in the early portion of the 2026 season and what her return timeline means for team plans and potential rest of 2026 play. Analysts and team observers have noted her previous durability and high-level production as a key component of Minnesota’s offense when she’s healthy [CBS Sports injury update; FOX Sports reporting].
Quick context you might find helpful:
- Injury timeline: left ankle surgery performed March 24, 2026, with an additional right ankle procedure done earlier in January 2026, leading to a projected June return [CBS Sports, April 2026; FOX Sports, May 2026].
- Contract status: one-year, $1.4 million supermax deal with the Lynx for 2026, keeping her in Minnesota through 2027 free agency, depending on future negotiations and health [CBS Sports, May 2026; FOX Sports mention of the deal].
If you’d like, I can pull the exact quotations or build a brief timeline graphic. I can also look for more recent updates if you want the latest developments beyond mid-May 2026.