Seattle Storm center and Australia national team captain Ezi Magbegor will miss the remainder of the FIBA Women's World Cup and the 2026 WNBA season with a torn ACL in her right knee, the Storm announced Thursday.
Magbegor, 27, sustained the injury with six minutes remaining in the first quarter of Wednesday's 82-80 win against Italy in their quarterfinals qualifier. As Magbegor drove in the paint for layup, she made contact with Italy's Lorela Cubaj and fell to the court after attempting to hop on one leg.
Ezi Magbegor suffered a torn ACL during the FIBA World Cup and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season.
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) September 10, 2026
Sending love and support from your Storm family 💚
We’re with you every step of the way, Ezi. pic.twitter.com/ARbHtmdEzQ
After the win,
Australia coach Sandy Brondello was unable to offer an update on Magbegor's status, saying that it was was "good sign" Magbegor was able to walk.
Over Australia's first three World Cup games, Magbegor averaged 15.6 points on 60.5% shooting from the field and 42.9% shooting from 3.
Without Magbegor and fellow interior mainstay Alanna Smith, who is also out for the remainder of the tournament due to a leg injury, Australia will be shorthanded as it faces Spain in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Magbegor's WNBA season was also injury laden, as she dealt with a foot injury and a facial fracture and appeared in 14 games. She averaged 6.9 points and four rebounds per game this season.
The second-to-last place Storm were already eliminated from the playoffs but will be without Magbegor in the final four games of the regular season. It's likely Magbegor will also miss substantial time in the 2027 WNBA season, which will have implications for the Storm as they rebuild. The team currently has promising young frontcourt talent in Awa Fam and Dominique Malonga.
Magbegor, a four-time WNBA All-Defensive team selection, has been with the Storm since she was drafted 12th overall in 2019. She was a WNBA title with the organization in 2020.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Storm center Ezi Magbegor's WNBA season over after World Cup injury
