The 2023 second overall pick will be sidelined for roughly six weeks after undergoing surgery on her knee.
One of the biggest objectives for Minnesota Lynx up-and-coming guard Diamond Miller this offseason was continuing to develop in live game action ahead of her sophomore season. Unfortunately for Miller, that will have to be put on hold while dealing with an injury she suffered overseas.
According to UNI Györ, a team based in Hungary that Miller signed to play with this offseason, Miller will miss time as she deals with a knee injury that required surgery. The Hungarian team recently announced Miller underwent arthroscopic cartilage knee surgery, an injury that will sideline her for roughly six weeks.
As a result of the injury, UNI Györ has replaced Miller’s spot in the rotation with fellow Lynx player Bridget Carleton, who is currently playing in Hungary.
According to UNI Győr (@uni_gyor), Diamond Miller recently underwent arthroscopic cartilage surgery on her knee and will miss six weeks. Get well soon Diamond!https://t.co/mjvACU1bBv
— Eric (@nemchocke) November 22, 2023
Miller’s injury is a blow to the 2023 second overall pick who admitted following the WNBA season that she wanted to work hard on developing her game this offseason. Miller said during her end-of-season media availability that she was excited to go to Hungary to get back into the gym ahead of her sophomore season in the WNBA in 2024.
“You have this really weird, cool opportunity and I’m just gonna enjoy it. I’m not saying every day is going to be a good day because that’s just life in general, but I know that I’m very lucky and blessed to be in this situation. I can’t wait to see how I grow during that time being overseas,” Miller said at the end of the WNBA season. “I’m definitely looking forward to getting in the gym and working out. … It’s just gonna help my game in all aspects.”
Miller is coming off a rookie season in Minnesota where she had some ups and downs while showing flashes of her potential to be a game-changing talent. Over 32 games, Miller averaged 21.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 0.9 steals over 26.1 minutes while shooting 40.7% from the field and 30.7% from three with the Lynx.
That performance carried over to the start of her time with UNI Györ overseas in late October, leading up to her injury. In one EuroLeague game, Miller tallied 24 points, six assists, five rebounds and one steal while posting 16 points, five rebounds and three assists in one Hungary-A Division contest with UNI Györ.
It is yet to be known whether or not Miller plans to rejoin UNI Györ when she recovers in roughly two months, but her latest injury will be a bit of a setback for the young guard and will be interesting to monitor the rest of the offseason and when the Lynx commence for training camp leading up to the 2024 WNBA season.