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Report: Collier tore ankle ligaments on Thomas collision

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An injured Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier is helped off the court during the second half of Game 3 of a WNBA basketball playoff semifinals series game against the Phoenix Mercury Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier suffered a Grade 2 tear of three ligaments in her ankle and a muscle in her shin during the collision Friday with Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas, a source close to the situation told ESPN.

The injury carries a minimum six-week recovery period, the source told ESPN, meaning Collier would not have been able to return this season had the top-seeded Lynx advanced beyond their best-of-five series against the Mercury.

The Mercury eliminated the short-handed Lynx with their victory Sunday in Game 4 of the series.

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve was ejected from Game 3 and earned a one-game suspension for her reaction to the play on which Collier was injured.