WNBA game in Chicago on Saturday sees Lexi Held sidelined due to injury
Phoenix Mercury's Rookie Guard Lexi Held Nears Return from Injury
Lexi Held, the 5-foot-10 rookie guard for the Phoenix Mercury, is nearing a return to the court after recovering from a rib injury sustained during the third quarter of the team's game against the New York Liberty on Thursday.
Held's injury limited her to just nine minutes of play in the game, and head coach Nate Tibbetts confirmed that she was "in a lot of pain" after the match. The injury caused a temporary setback in Held's season, but she has been making steady progress in her recovery.
Prior to the injury, Held had been contributing significantly to the Mercury's success. Her season averages included 8.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.5 steals. She also scored in double figures in five of the team's first seven games this month.
Held's journey to the WNBA has been a long and winding one. After a standout high school career, where she scored more than 2,430 points and finished her senior season with the state's second-highest scoring average at 28.3 points per game, Held played professional basketball in Europe before joining the Phoenix Mercury training camp in April.
Despite being undrafted, Held has proven to be an invaluable addition to the Mercury. She started 89 consecutive games over three seasons for DePaul University, contributing to a 64-26 record, and her presence has been missed during her absence.
The Mercury are off to their best start since 2018, with Held being one of four undrafted rookies who made the roster. The team currently boasts an impressive 10-4 record in the WNBA this season.
As Held continues to recover, the Mercury are cautiously managing her minutes, reflecting a typical timeline for lung injury recovery in professional athletes. No exact date for her full return to regular minutes has been given, but her recovery and return appear on track with a gradual integration into the team’s rotation during the second half of the 2025 season.
Held's family and friends in Northern Kentucky have a chance to see her play at an Indianapolis WNBA venue on July 30. The Phoenix Mercury will also visit the Chicago Sky again on Aug. 3, but it is uncertain if Held will be ready to play in that game.
Despite the setback, the Mercury and their fans remain optimistic about Held's return. Her determination and resilience have been evident throughout her career, and there is no doubt that she will continue to make a significant impact on the team.
[1] https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/wnba/mercury/2025/07/15/phoenix-mercury-lexi-held-rib-injury-recovery-wnba/30231006/ [2] https://www.sportsnet.ca/wnba/2025/07/phoenix-mercury-lexi-held-rib-injury-recovery-timeline/ [3] https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/34658461/phoenix-mercury-lexi-held-rib-injury-recovery-timeline [4] https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/07/22/phoenix-mercury-lexi-held-rib-injury-recovery-timeline/ [5] https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/mercury/2025/07/23/phoenix-mercury-lexi-held-rib-injury-recovery-timeline/40815864/
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