The Minnesota Lynx are surging—riding a wave of momentum that has them atop the WNBA standings and looking every bit the championship contender they’ve not-so-quietly become. And yet, the front office knows that to sustain that energy through a deep postseason run, sometimes you have to make tough, even surprising, decisions.

This week, the Lynx did just that.

On the heels of a dominant 111-58 blowout win over the Las Vegas Aces, Minnesota announced that forward Napheesa Collier—the WNBA MVP front-runner and emotional anchor of the franchise—will miss at least two weeks due to a right ankle sprain suffered late in the third quarter of that game. While imaging revealed no major damage, the timing couldn’t be worse. Collier has been nothing short of elite this season, averaging 23.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while carrying the Lynx to a 5 and half-game cushion over the New York Liberty.

“Obviously, you hate to see anybody go down, but especially your MVP,” Kayla McBride told reporters after the game. “We just wish the best for her. We just want her to be healthy.”

In response, Minnesota’s front office wasted no time retooling.

The team announced the acquisition of Dijonai Carrington, a hard-nosed defender and 2024’s Most Improved Player, in a move that signals both short-term insurance and long-term intent. Carrington brings a reputation for defensive toughness, on-ball pressure, and a competitive edge that aligns perfectly with the Lynx identity. She also arrives at a critical time when the team needs to redistribute Collier’s scoring and defensive responsibilities.

But Carrington’s arrival came at a cost.

Minnesota parted ways with former No. 2 overall pick Diamond Miller, who was just beginning to find her rhythm in the rotation. It’s a bold move—Miller’s length, athleticism, and upside were undeniable, but the Lynx are in win-now mode. They didn’t hesitate to trade potential for production.

This isn’t the first shake-up either. Not long ago, the team waived rookie forward Alissa Pili, who has since signed with the Los Angeles Sparks. The front office’s decision to move on from both Pili and Miller underscores a clear message: the Lynx aren’t settling for development. They’re chasing a title.

Carrington’s presence, particularly in Collier’s absence, couldn’t be more timely. With a deep, playoff-hardened roster featuring McBride, Courtney Williams, and Dorka Juhász, Minnesota has the pieces to stay afloat—and perhaps even evolve—while their MVP recovers.

And make no mistake: if Collier returns in rhythm by mid-August, the Lynx might not just be the league’s hottest team—they could be its most dangerous.

“We’ve built something real,” McBride said. “And now it’s about finishing strong. That’s the goal.”

For a team that’s already turned heads, the message is clear: the Lynx aren’t waiting for the future. They’re going for it now.