Seattle Storm guard Nika Mühl's professional basketball career has been put on hold for the second consecutive season due to a devastating knee injury. The 24-year-old Croatian national suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee during international competition.
The injury occurred on March 11 while Mühl was representing her home country in a EuroBasket qualifying game. Team officials confirmed the diagnosis Wednesday, noting that the point guard underwent successful surgical repair the previous day.
This marks the second straight WNBA campaign that Mühl will miss due to ACL damage. She previously tore the ACL in her left knee while competing overseas for Turkish club Besiktas during the FIBA SuperCup tournament, which caused her to miss the entire 2025 season.
The consecutive serious injuries have severely limited Mühl's professional court time. Despite being in her third season with the Storm organization, the former University of Connecticut standout has managed to appear in only 16 regular season games since joining the league.
Mühl's injury history presents a significant challenge for both the player and the Storm franchise that invested in her development. ACL injuries typically require extensive rehabilitation periods of 9-12 months, suggesting Mühl faces another long recovery process before returning to competitive basketball.
The timing is particularly unfortunate as Mühl was expected to compete for rotational minutes in Seattle's backcourt following her recovery from the previous knee surgery. Instead, the Storm must now adjust their roster plans for the upcoming season without their reserve guard.
Team medical staff will oversee Mühl's rehabilitation process, which will focus on restoring strength, stability, and confidence in the surgically repaired knee. The organization has not provided a specific timeline for her return to basketball activities.
Mühl's situation highlights the physical risks professional athletes face when competing year-round across multiple leagues and international competitions. Many WNBA players supplement their income by playing overseas during the offseason, increasing their exposure to potential injuries.
The Storm organization now faces additional backcourt depth questions heading into training camp as they prepare to navigate another season without their young guard. Team management will likely explore roster additions to address the backcourt depth affected by Mühl's extended absence.
