Napheesa Collier update: Lynx star expected to miss 'at least two weeks'

Lynx superstar Napheesa Collier will miss "at least two weeks" with a right ankle sprain suffered in Saturday's blowout win over the Las Vegas Aces, according to ESPN's Kendra Andrews.

"Imaging revealed (Collier) avoided major injury when she went down against the Aces on (Saturday)," Andrews posted on X. "She’ll be re-evaluated in two weeks."

Collier, 28, was recently named the WNBA's Western Conference Player of the Month for a third consecutive month. She's the league's leading scorer at 23.5 points per game and also ranks ninth in rebounding (7.5), fourth in blocks (1.6), and fourth in steals (1.6). Collier, the best player on the WNBA-leading Lynx (24-5), is the heavy favorite to win league MVP honors at this point.

An absence of at least two weeks could allow others to re-enter the MVP mix, but Collier has been so dominant that she could theoretically still win it without playing another regular season game.

If Collier is set to be re-evaluated in two weeks, the earliest she could return would be on Tuesday, August 19 against the New York Liberty. That would mean missing four games: 8/5 at Seattle, 8/8 vs. Washington, 8/10 at New York, and 8/16 vs. New York. The Lynx also play Atlanta on the 21st and then face Indiana on the 22nd and 24th.

In total, the Lynx have 15 games remaining in the regular season, which ends on September 11. Based on Andrews' report, Collier should be able to return in plenty of time to be ready for the postseason.

The Lynx currently have a 5.5-game lead over second place in the WNBA, giving them plenty of cushion to withstand this injury. Without Collier, it's possible new trade acquisition DiJonai Carrington will enter the starting lineup alongside Courtney Williams, Bridget Carleton, Kayla McBride, and Alanna Smith.