Storm rookie Nika Muhl underwent successful surgery Friday to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in her left knee, the WNBA team announced. Muhl suffered the injury on Oct. 3 while playing her first game for Turkish basketball club Besiktas.
On Saturday, the 23-year-old Muhl posted photos on Instagram of her wearing a knee brace and holding a couple of cats with a caption that read: “Day 1 featuring Mad Max & G. Let’s get it.” The Storm selected the 5-foot-10 point guard from Connecticut with their top pick — No.
14 overall in the second round. Muhl played sparingly for the Storm and tallied just two points after scoring her only basket in the regular-season finale. She also had 10 rebounds, seven assists and two steals while averaging 3.
4 minutes in 16 games. Despite her limited time on the floor, Muhl became a fan favorite and fashion icon, who was voted the league’s most stylish player by GQ Sports. The Croatian native had a promising start in her debut with Besiktas while scoring 11 points and dishing nine assists in three quarters before being injured.
Muhl’s Storm teammate Gabby Williams was playing for the opposing team Fenerbache. “Anyone that knows me knows I work my ass off all the time,” Muhl wrote on Instagram on Oct. 4.
“This time isn’t gonna be any different. I appreciate all of the love and support so much — y’all really make this easier for my heart. I am grateful for all the people around me that are true testaments .