Nika Muhl is facing yet another long recovery, with the Seattle Storm guard set to miss the 2026 WNBA season after suffering a second ACL tear in under two years. The injury took place during a game on March 11th, while Muhl represented Croatia in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket Qualifiers.
Notes of support poured in quickly across the basketball community, including from Muhl's old UConn teammate Paige Bueckers. After she posted a hospital selfie following her surgery, Bueckers responded in the comments.
"Two new and improved knees incoming," Bueckers wrote, adding three smiling emojis.
Muhl sustained the injury while competing internationally, adding to a growing list of setbacks early in her professional career. She previously missed the 2025 season after injuring her left knee in 2024, marking her second major knee injury since turning pro.
Bueckers has supported Muhl through both recoveries, sharing a similar message after the initial ACL tear.
"Nothing my twin can't overcome. Gonna destroy this comeback journey! God speed," she wrote.
Bueckers, who missed the 2022/23 season with her own ALC injury, has remained close with Muhl since their time at UConn, where the two built a strong on-court partnership.
Muhl established herself as one of the program's top playmakers, finishing her career as UConn's all-time assist leader before the Seattle Storm selected her No. 14 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
The 24-year-old has appeared just in 16 games with the Storm.
