Minnesota Lynx superstar Napheesa Collier was one of the pioneer figures in establishing the Unrivaled 3×3 league in 2025. However, for the 2026 season, she is set to not appear for the same. Collier has been sidelined by ankle injuries which require surgery and will make her miss four to six months of action on the floor. Expressing her disappointment on Instagram, Collier shared,
“I am heartbroken to share that I will miss this Unrivaled season. I have fought hard over the last few months to be back with my [Lunar] Owls and was devastated to be told by my team of doctors that surgery was the best path forward.”
Collier’s injury update comes right after the 2025 WNBA season, which was defined by both physical setbacks and historic dominance. Collier suffered multiple ankle injuries, including a Grade 2 tear of three ligaments during the semifinals. Yet, she managed to become the second player in league history to achieve 50-40-90 shooting season. Though she finished as a runner-up in the MVP race, she still remains optimistic and focused on time ahead. She added,
“I will still be cheering on my teammates every step of the way, and I will continue to work relentlessly with the rest of the players and our staff to push our sport forward and raise the bar for women’s basketball.”
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The surgery marks a shift from Collier’s outlook in December, when she was hopeful that rehabilitation would be enough to avoid a surgery. During Unrivaled’s media day, she mentioned that she did not need a surgery and was working to get 100% back up. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case now. Collier’s team, the Lunar Owls, have now signed forward Temi Fagbenle to take her place on the roster.
How Would Temi Fagbenle Fit In With The Lunar Owls?
Temi Fagbenle joins the Lunar Owls as a high-energy replacement for Napheesa Collier in the 2026 Unrivaled season. The 6’4″ Golden State Valkyries forward recently signed a multi-year deal with the league.
She brings in veteran leadership and a championship pedigree from her time with the Minnesota Lynx. Having won the 2024 EuroCup MVP title, she is well prepared for the pressure that is to come from playing professional 3×3 basketball.
On the court, Fagbenle is known for her agility and mobility. She excels in transitions and finishes efficiently at the rim. Her defensive versatility allows her to guard multiple positions effectively. She fits in perfectly with the fast pace of the Unrivaled circuit and would be a vital plug for the Owls’ title chase in Collier’s absence.
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