Mercury Lynx injury report: Collier and Mack ruled out
Napheesa Collier and Natasha Mack will not play in Monday's Mercury Lynx game. Minnesota ruled out its star forward as she continues recovering from offseason ankle surgery. Phoenix sidelined Mack for a seventh straight contest with a left-foot bone bruise. Sami Whitcomb is probable and expected to suit up for the Mercury.
Key Takeaways
- Collier and Mack are both OUT for the July 13 Mercury Lynx matchup at Target Center.
- Minnesota (17-6) seeks a third straight win; Phoenix (8-16) is on a three-game skid after a 106-58 loss.
- Sami Whitcomb is probable for Phoenix; Emma Cechova remains out for Minnesota with a torn ACL.
- The game tips off at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock, with Minnesota favored by 12.5 points.
- Collier has returned to practice and is nearing her season debut, per the Lynx injury report.
Will Napheesa Collier play against the Mercury?
No. Minnesota ruled out Collier on Sunday's final injury report. The back-to-back MVP runner-up remains sidelined to begin the season while recovering from surgery on both ankles.
The Lynx said on July 1 that Collier had returned to team practice activities and continues to progress as expected. She is close to making her season debut, but Monday is not the night. Minnesota still enters with momentum after beating the New York Liberty 90-85 on Saturday.
Olivia Miles scored 23 points in that win, and Kayla McBride added 25. Their production helps cushion Collier's absence as Minnesota pushes for another victory at home.
Will Natasha Mack play against the Lynx?
No. Phoenix ruled out Mack for her seventh consecutive game due to a bone bruise in her left foot. She was initially expected to miss two to four weeks when the injury was reported in late June.
The Mercury have listed Sami Whitcomb as probable due to left knee injury management, and she is expected to play. Phoenix will lean on Kahleah Copper, who averages 20 points per game and leads the Mercury offense, according to AL.com.
Coach Nate Tibbetts called Saturday's 48-point loss to Las Vegas "ugly" and said Monday would reveal what kind of response his team has. Mack's continued absence thins an already battered frontcourt.
How can you watch the Mercury Lynx game tonight?
The Mercury Lynx matchup tips off at 9 p.m. ET from Target Center in Minneapolis. Fans can stream the game on Peacock, which requires a monthly subscription starting at $10.99, per AL.com.
AL.com lists an 8 p.m. CT start time, matching the 9 p.m. ET broadcast window cited by Yahoo Sports. Both teams enter with clear stakes: Minnesota chasing a third straight win, Phoenix trying to halt a three-game slide.
Why does this injury report matter for the standings?
Minnesota's 17-6 record ties Las Vegas for the Western Conference lead. Even without Collier, the Lynx have beaten Phoenix twice this season and held the Mercury to 37% shooting in both meetings, per Covers.com.
Phoenix's 8-16 mark reflects a brutal stretch that includes the third-largest loss in WNBA history. Missing Mack alongside a struggling defense makes an uphill road game even tougher against a 12.5-point favorite.
For more offbeat sports coverage, browse our Bizarre World section. Collier's eventual return could reshape the West race, but Monday belongs to the players who are actually available.