Lynx Make Napheesa Collier Injury Announcement Before Game Against Fever

The Minnesota Lynx announced star forward Napheesa Collier is questionable for their upcoming game Sunday against the Indiana Fever, per Mitchell Hansen of CanisHoopus.com. Collier continues to deal with plantar fascia pain in her left foot.

The news comes ahead of the Lynx’s first matchup of the season against the Fever. Collier has missed three games since exiting the July 4 game against the Connecticut Sun with pain in her foot.

In Minnesota’s previous game on Friday, the Lynx suffered a heavy 91-63 loss to the Seattle Storm. Despite a stellar performance by All-Star guard Kayla McBride, who scored 27 points and connected on six of her 12 three-point attempts, the team struggled both offensively and defensively (h/t Kent Youngblood of the Minneapolis Star Tribune).

The absence of Collier, who has been a cornerstone for the Lynx, has been clearly felt as the team has dropped to 2-3 in their last five games.

The Fever, coming off a nine-point win against the Phoenix Mercury, will bring rookie guard Caitlin Clark to the Target Center for the first time as a professional. Clark, is well-acquainted with the venue from her college days leading Iowa to Big Ten titles.

Indiana's Aliyah Boston, last season's WNBA Rookie of the Year, continues to impress with averages of 13.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game (h/t Youngblood). The Lynx will need to regroup and focus on their defensive strategies to counter Boston's effectiveness in the paint. The Lynx's defense will be tested as Boston averaged 16.5 points and 11.3 rebounds in four games against them last season.

Additionally, the Lynx are dealing with injuries beyond Collier. Guard Olivia Époupa is out with a thigh injury, while the Fever's Temi Fagbenle is sidelined with a right thumb injury.

Related: Napheesa Collier Unlikely to Suit Up for Friday's Game with Storm

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