The Minnesota Lynx are closely watching the recovery of their All-Star forward, Napheesa Collier, who underwent surgery to repair torn ligaments in both of her ankles during the offseason. While Collier’s progress is a major focus, another key player, guard Kayla McBride, is also dealing with an injury as the 2026 WNBA season approaches.
McBride suffered a partially ruptured eardrum while flying home to the United States after playing overseas for Fenerbahçe in Turkey. The injury initially prevented her from flying, according to reports from Front Office Sports’ Colin Salao. Now, as the Lynx begin their training camp, questions remain about how this injury might affect her ability to travel and play away games.
Head coach Cheryl Reeve addressed the situation when asked whether McBride’s injury would prevent her from flying with the team. “I’m hopeful that that’s not the case,” Reeve said, citing reports from Andrew Dukowitz. “I think we’ve gotten to a space where she has since flown, and is, I think, markedly better than what she was experiencing before, so it shouldn’t be the case that this is going to be lingering, but obviously, we’ll keep an eye on that.”
The Lynx recently announced their re-signing of McBride, though they did not disclose the details of her new contract. ESPN’s Alexa Philippou reported that McBride agreed to a two-year deal with a lower maximum salary. This move shows the team’s confidence in her abilities despite her recent challenges.
McBride has been with the Lynx since 2021 and has earned All-Star recognition in each of the past two seasons. Last year, she was the second-highest scorer in the league, averaging 22.9 points per game for the Lynx, who finished the regular season with a record of 34-10.
While the Lynx were dominant during the regular season, Collier’s injuries ultimately impacted the team’s performance in the playoffs. She suffered a Grade 2 tear to three ankle ligaments and a shin muscle during Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury. The Lynx lost that series in four games.
On Friday, Collier spoke to reporters about her recovery, saying, “Everything is going well, so you’ll see me soon.” However, she did not provide an exact return date.
Minnesota is set to open the 2026 WNBA season against the Atlanta Dream on May 10. With Collier expected to return and McBride recovering from her injury, the Lynx will look to build on their strong performance from last season.
- Key players like Collier and McBride are central to the team’s success.
- Both athletes have faced significant challenges this offseason.
- The Lynx are preparing for a competitive 2026 season.
As the team moves forward, the focus remains on the health and readiness of its star players. With Collier’s return on the horizon and McBride making progress, the Lynx are positioned to compete at a high level once the season begins.
