Collier's Ankle Surgeries Cast Doubt on Unrivaled Debut

Napheesa Collier will be forced to skip the inaugural Unrivaled season due to a pair of ankle surgeries that have left her uncertain about participating in the upcoming WNBA campaign. The Minnesota Lynx star, who was one of the driving forces behind the creation of Unrivaled, has been dealing with nagging injuries for some time now, and a combination of those issues led her team to decide against pushing her back into action too soon. According to sources close to Collier, she will be undergoing surgery on both ankles in the coming weeks, which could potentially derail her plans to start the season. The estimated recovery timeline, which ranges from four to six months, raises concerns about whether she’ll be able to make it back onto the court by the time the Lynx are set to begin their campaign. Collier’s absence would be a significant blow to Unrivaled, as she is widely regarded as one of the league’s most talented players. Her decision to participate in the inaugural season was seen as a major coup for the new venture, and her absence will undoubtedly cast a shadow over its early going.