Storm's Nika Muhl Screams in Pain After Suffering Torn ACL While Playing Overseas
Despite playing very limited minutes and only scoring one basket all season long (which came in the fourth quarter of her team's final game), Seattle Storm guard Nika Muhl may be one of the WNBA's most popular players.
The former UConn Husky became a household name after her staunch defense against Caitlin Clark when Iowa and UConn faced off in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. This ultimately played a big part in Muhl getting selected by the Storm with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
After learning a lot with the Storm this past season, Muhl elected to play overseas during the offseason for the Turkish league's Beşiktaş Women's Basketball Team.
The hope was that Muhl could continue developing with ample playing time in this league, which got off to a great start — before disaster struck on Thursday.
During Beşiktaş's game against Gabby Williams' Fenerbahçe S.K squad on Thursday, Muhl suffered a concerning knee injury.
She appears to have twisted her knee awkwardly after grabbing a rebound. She fell straight to the ground, grabbed her left knee, and began screaming in pain.
Muhl sounded like she was in absolute agony as a team stretcher came onto the court to take her away so play could continue.
nika mühl injury. medical staff had to pick her up via stretcher. gabby williams stayed by her side. https://t.co/Q5ScW0EWFB pic.twitter.com/75ob66Q69d
— . (@anistin0) October 3, 2024
A few hours after the game ended, it was announced that Muhl tore her ACL in her left knee and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season.
💔 Beşiktaş announced that unfortunately, Nika Mühl is out for the rest of the season.
— ʀᴏᴏᴋɪᴇ 👻 (@CoachRookie) October 3, 2024
Following the MRI and examinations, they have learned that Nika has suffered a tear in her ACL.
I wish you a speedy recovery @MuhlNika! You're a true fighter! You will be back stronger! https://t.co/k1P9qBINUC pic.twitter.com/KjGqwsiplB
According to Alford Corriette, Muhl had 11 points, 3 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals before the injury occurred.
All fans can hope to do now is send good thoughts Muhl's way and pray for a speedy recovery.
Grant Young covers Women’s Basketball, the New York Yankees, and the New York Mets for Sports Illustrated’s ‘On SI’ sites. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of San Francisco (USF), where he also graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and played on USF’s Division I baseball team for five years. However, he now prefers Angel Reese to Angels in the Outfield.