Minnesota Lynx Star Napheesa Collier Suffers Grade 2 Ankle Ligament Tear in WNBA Semifinals Collision

Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier suffered a Grade 2 tear of three ligaments in her left ankle and a muscle in her shin during a collision with Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas in Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals. The injury carries a minimum six-week recovery period, ruling Collier out for the remainder of the season even if the Lynx had advanced to the WNBA Finals. The collision, which involved contact to Collier's knee, was not called a foul, leading to the ejection of Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve for her reaction and subsequently a one-game suspension. Collier, a five-time All-Star and MVP frontrunner, was sidelined for the elimination Game 4, which the Mercury won to end the Lynx's season. She has also publicly criticized WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for inconsistent officiating and lack of accountability in the league. Collier is active off the court as vice president of the WNBA Players Association and co-founder of the offseason 3-on-3 league Unrivaled.