Nika Muhl, currently a guard for the Seattle Storm, is confronted with another extensive rehabilitation period after sustaining her second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in less than two years. This setback occurred during a match on March 11th, when Muhl was competing for Croatia in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Qualifiers. As a consequence, she will be sidelined for the entirety of the 2026 WNBA season.
Community Support and Reactions
The basketball fraternity swiftly expressed their solidarity with Muhl amidst this challenging time. Among those offering encouragement was her former University of Connecticut (UConn) teammate, Paige Bueckers, who commented on Muhl’s recent hospital selfie posted after undergoing surgery. Bueckers’ message read, “Two new and improved knees incoming,” conveying optimism and support.
This gesture from Bueckers, captured by Steph Chambers/Getty Images, exemplifies the close-knit bonds forged through collegiate and professional basketball careers. Muhl’s injury, which once again threatens to impede her athletic trajectory, has elicited widespread empathy and well-wishes from fans, peers, and analysts alike.