Napheesa Collier Update: Injury, Surgery, Husband, and More

Few WNBA players have as much on their plate in 2026 as Napheesa Collier — she’s recovering from two ankle surgeries, navigating motherhood, and facing lingering questions about when she’ll be back on the court. The timeline has shifted from a January surgery announcement to a June return window, and according to ESPN (sports journalism outlet), Collier said in April she was “working as fast as I can” with doctors and physical therapists to return.

Height: 6′1″ (1.85 m) ·
Weight: 179 lb (81 kg) ·
College: UConn ·
WNBA Draft: 2019, Round 1, Pick 6 (Minnesota Lynx) ·
2025 PPG: 22.9

Ten key facts about the Lynx star, one pattern: every major life event — college championships, marriage, childbirth — has been followed by a strong return to court. The current injury is no exception, but the recovery timeline remains fluid.

What is going on with Napheesa Collier?

Why has she missed games?

• Collier has been sidelined due to a combination of right and left ankle surgeries. According to Sports Illustrated (sports news magazine), the initial injury occurred during Game 3 of the Lynx‑Mercury semifinal series in September 2025. She played through the remainder of the 2025 season and playoffs, but the issue persisted.

What is the status of her injury?

• As of June 2026, head coach Cheryl Reeve told reporters that Collier is “doing basketball things” but has not yet been cleared for full team activities, per FOX Sports (sports broadcaster). CBS Sports (sports news outlet) reported that Collier remained out as the Lynx began the 2026 season.

What have the WNBA and Lynx said?

• A team statement in late April 2026 indicated Collier was expected to return to on‑court activities in early June, according to CBS Sports. No official return date has been announced. Collier herself said in April, “Everything is going well, so you’ll see me soon,” via ESPN.

Does a Napheesa Collier have to have surgery?

What type of surgery did she undergo?

• Collier underwent successful surgery on her left ankle on March 24, 2026, as reported by CBS Sports. The exact procedure details have not been publicly disclosed. Earlier in January 2026, she also had surgery on her right ankle, per Sports Illustrated.

When was the surgery performed?

• Double‑ankle surgery was announced in early January 2026, according to Olympics.com (international sports authority). The left‑ankle surgery followed on March 24, 2026.

What is the expected recovery timeline?

• Initial estimates predicted 4–6 months of recovery after the double‑ankle surgery, which would have pushed her return to mid‑2026. The Athletic (subscription sports journalism) noted that this timeline could cause her to miss the start of the 2026 WNBA season. The later left‑ankle surgery reset expectations, and as of late April 2026, the Lynx projected a return to on‑court activities in early June, per CBS Sports.

The implication: the gap between initial projections and actual outcomes means the Lynx have had to recalibrate roster planning mid-season.

Did Napheesa Collier get married?

Who is her husband?

• Collier is married to Alex Bazzell, a professional basketball trainer and skills coach. The couple tied the knot in 2022.

When did they get married?

• They married in 2022, though the exact date has not been widely publicized. Collier and Bazzell have one daughter together.

What does Napheesa Collier’s husband do for a living?

What is Alex Bazzell’s profession?

• Alex Bazzell is a professional basketball trainer and skills coach who has worked with NBA and WNBA players. His background includes training elite athletes on shooting mechanics and individual development. He also co‑founded the training platform Pure Sweat.

How does his career intersect with Collier’s?

• Bazzell’s expertise in player development has been a resource for Collier throughout her career, particularly during rehab. He has been present at Lynx practices and frequently posts training content featuring Collier.

What position does Napheesa Collier play?

How does her position fit her skill set?

• Collier plays as a forward for the Minnesota Lynx. Her versatility — scoring inside, hitting mid‑range jumpers, and crashing the boards — makes her a modern stretch‑four. She averaged 22.9 points per game in the 2025 season before the injury.

What are her primary responsibilities on the court?

• As a forward, Collier is the Lynx’s go‑to scorer and a primary rebounder. She also uses her length to disrupt passing lanes and block shots. Her all‑around game earned her All‑WNBA First Team honors in 2024 and 2025.

Timeline: From UConn to Surgery and Recovery

• September 23, 1996 – Born in O’Fallon, Missouri
• 2015–2019 – Played for UConn Huskies, winning two NCAA championships
• April 10, 2019 – Drafted 6th overall by Minnesota Lynx
• 2022 – Married Alex Bazzell
• September 2025 – Injured ankle in Game 3 of Lynx‑Mercury semifinal (Sports Illustrated)
• January 2026 – Right‑ankle surgery; 4–6 month recovery announced (Olympics.com)
• March 24, 2026 – Left‑ankle surgery (CBS Sports)
• Late April 2026 – Lynx project return to on‑court activities early June (CBS Sports)
• June 2026 – Reeve says Collier is “doing basketball things”; still not cleared for team activities (FOX Sports)

Clarity Check

Quotes from the Court

“She has been on the court and is doing basketball things.”

— Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota Lynx head coach, via FOX Sports

“Right now, I’m just working as fast as I can with my doctors and my [physical therapy] staff, just trying to get back on the court.”

— Napheesa Collier, via ESPN

What’s at Stake for Collier and the Lynx

Collier’s absence creates a void that Minnesota cannot easily fill. The team began the 2026 season without its leading scorer, and while younger players like Olivia Miles have stepped up, the Lynx front office must decide whether to pursue a mid‑season trade or wait for Collier’s return. For the 27‑year‑old forward, the choice is clear: prioritize long‑term health over a rushed comeback, or risk a career‑shortening pattern of repeat surgeries. The coming weeks — and the team’s performance without her — will shape that decision.

For a deeper look at her recovery and family background, check out Napheesa Colliers injury and personal life.

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