Look, if you're a Minnesota fan, the start of 2026 hasn't exactly been a "Happy New Year" kind of situation. Honestly, it’s been a bit of a gut punch. Just when we thought the off-season would be about rest and recovery after that heartbreaking semifinal exit against Phoenix, the news dropped like a lead weight. The Minnesota Lynx injury report isn't just a list of names right now; it’s a massive question mark hanging over the entire 2026 season.
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the star in the operating room.
Napheesa Collier, the undisputed heart of this franchise, is out. Not just for a week. Not just for a few games. We are talking about a major, dual-ankle surgery that has basically sidelined the reigning Unrivaled MVP and WNBA runner-up for the foreseeable future. If you’re feeling a little devastated, you aren't alone. Phee herself described the news as "heartbreaking" on her Instagram.
The Napheesa Collier Surgery: A Double Blow
Let’s get into the weeds of this Minnesota Lynx injury report because the details are actually pretty wild. On January 1, 2026, the team confirmed that Collier would undergo surgery on both of her ankles. This wasn't some snap decision. She’s been battling through these issues for months. Remember that scary collision with Alyssa Thomas in Game 3 of the semis? That Grade 2 tear of three ligaments in her left ankle was the breaking point, but her right ankle had been acting up since that Vegas game in August.
Basically, the "wait and see" approach didn't work.
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Dr. Martin O’Malley in New York City performed the procedures during the first week of January. The recovery timeline is officially four to six months. Do the math. If she’s on the long end of that recovery, she might not just miss the entire Unrivaled season—she could be watching the WNBA season opener from the couch in May.
- Left Ankle: Multiple torn ligaments from the September collision.
- Right Ankle: Chronic issues following a severe sprain in August.
- Total Recovery Time: 4–6 months (Estimated return: May or June 2026).
It's a lot to process. Phee had an historic 2025—joining the 50-40-90 club and averaging nearly 23 points per game—but she was clearly playing on borrowed time. Seeing her helped off the court in Phoenix was a grim foreshadowing of where we are today.
Beyond the Star: Who Else Is Up in the Air?
While Phee is the headline, the rest of the Minnesota Lynx injury report is surprisingly quiet, but the roster itself is a ghost town. It’s kinda weird, right? Most of the team is technically healthy, but they aren't technically on the team yet.
Alanna Smith, who was an absolute beast on defense last year (co-Defensive Player of the Year, no big deal), finished the season with some back issues. She pushed through it in the playoffs, but she’s currently an unrestricted free agent. The good news? She’s been spotted on the Unrivaled rosters and seems to be moving well, so we can probably assume that back is holding up.
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Then you've got the backcourt. Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride played heavy minutes down the stretch. Williams was nearly averaging a triple-double in the postseason before the Lynx were eliminated. No major surgeries reported for them, which is a win, but with the CBA negotiations dragging on and a potential lockout looming, "health" is a relative term.
The Roster Limbo
The Lynx are in a unique spot. They have the No. 2 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. That’s huge. But they also have almost their entire starting five hitting free agency.
- Napheesa Collier: Out (Ankle Surgery)
- Alanna Smith: Healthy (Unrestricted Free Agent)
- Courtney Williams: Healthy (Unrestricted Free Agent)
- Kayla McBride: Healthy (Unrestricted Free Agent)
If the Minnesota Lynx injury report tells us anything, it’s that the team cannot rely on a "run it back" strategy. Not when your best player is learning how to walk again while the front office is trying to figure out if they can even afford to keep the lights on under a new CBA.
What Happens Next for Minnesota?
If you're looking for a silver lining, it's the draft. Since Phee is likely out for the start of the season, that No. 2 pick becomes a lifeline rather than just a "nice to have." Whether it's Lauren Betts' size or the scoring punch of someone like Azzi Fudd or Olivia Miles, Cheryl Reeve has to find someone who can contribute immediately.
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There's also the expansion draft. With Portland and Toronto coming into the league, the Lynx can only protect a handful of players. It’s a stressful time to be a fan. You’ve got your franchise player in a walking boot and the rest of the roster potentially getting plucked away by expansion teams or lured by bigger paychecks elsewhere.
Actionable Insights for Lynx Fans:
- Monitor the Unrivaled Season: Keep an eye on how Alanna Smith and other Lynx free agents perform in the 3x3 league. It's the best way to gauge their current conditioning and health.
- Track the CBA Negotiations: The status of the Minnesota Lynx injury report matters less if there's no season. The January 9 deadline has passed with a lot of tension, so the league's labor health is just as critical as Collier's ankles.
- Draft Prep: Start looking at scouting reports for the top three prospects. The Lynx will almost certainly use that No. 2 pick on a player who can fill the "Phee-sized" hole in the lineup for the first two months of the season.
- Free Agency Window: Signings usually start in February. Watch for whether the Lynx "core" one of their stars to prevent them from walking for nothing.
The reality is that the 2026 Minnesota Lynx will look fundamentally different from the 2025 version. Injuries have forced their hand. But if we know anything about Cheryl Reeve, she isn't going to let a couple of surgical boots stop her from building a contender. It’s just going to be a much steeper climb than we expected.