WNBA star Napheesa Collier will be sidelined for four to six months after undergoing surgery on both ankles, according to a statement from Unrivaled on Thursday. Collier, who co-founded the league alongside Breanna Stewart, will miss the second season of the 3-on-3 league entirely. Her recovery and the WNBA's return to the court in spring 2026 will determine if she starts the 2026 WNBA season. Collier's absence will be a significant setback for the upstart league, which begins its second season on January 5th. Collier, who plays for the Lunar Owls BC, was named MVP of the inaugural season in 2025. She expressed heartbreak over missing the season, stating she had been working hard to return to her team. Collier will be replaced by Golden State Valkyries center Temi Fágbénlé, who signed a multiyear contract with Unrivaled. Collier's ankle issues date back to the 2025 WNBA season, where she suffered a right ankle sprain in August and later tore three ligaments in her left ankle during a playoff game. Her long-term absence from the Lynx contributed to her falling short in the MVP voting. Collier initially thought she wouldn't need surgery, but doctors determined it was necessary. Her timeline for recovery is broad, and she may return in time for the start of the 2026 season, depending on the WNBA's collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
