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# Storm Center Ezi Magbegor Suffers Torn ACL at FIBA World Cup
- URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/storm-center-ezi-magbegor-suffers-torn-acl-fiba-world-cup/
- Published: 2026-09-10T20:39:31.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-08T06:13:27.000Z
- Author: Connor Benintendi
- Tags: News, Analysis, Storm, Ezi Magbegor, Sonia Raman

\[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2499"\]

![  Seattle Storm center Ezi Magbegor looks on after shooting a 3-pointer during a game against the Portland Fire on Friday, Aug. 14, at Climate Pledge Arena. Credit: Courtesy of Seattle Storm  ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/20260814_vs-2bportland_second-2bhalf_fs-5-format-original.jpg)

Seattle Storm center Ezi Magbegor looks on after shooting a 3-pointer during a game against the Portland Fire on Friday, Aug. 14, at Climate Pledge Arena. Credit: Courtesy of Seattle Storm \[/caption\]

Seattle Storm center Ezi Magbegor [tore her ACL during Australia’s quarterfinal qualifying game](https://x.com/seattlestorm/status/2098113539840094478?s=20&ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) against Italy in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup on Wednesday, the Storm announced. She will miss the rest of the WNBA season.

Magbegor played just four minutes in Australia’s 82-80 victory before suffering the injury. It’s the third time this calendar year that Magbegor has suffered an injury that has forced her off the court.

The former WNBA All-Star and All-Defensive First-Teamer drove inside on a fast break, took a long, awkward step while attempting a layup, and immediately took weight off her right leg. She then collapsed to the court before medical staff came to her attention.

The Australian national team [reported on Thursday](https://www.australia.basketball/news/4574770?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) that scans confirmed a rupture of Magbegor’s ACL, and the Storm announced she would miss the final four games of the 2026 season. Magbegor will likely miss part of the 2027 season as well.

> EZI INJURED 🤕  
>  
> The Opals booked in a date with Spain in the quarterfinals, but all eyes will be on captain Ezi Magbegor after she left the game with injury in the first quarter 😬[#fibawwc](https://x.com/hashtag/fibawwc?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) [pic.twitter.com/gFg8cCPxbM](https://t.co/gFg8cCPxbM?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com)— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) [September 9, 2026](https://x.com/ESPNAusNZ/status/2097797423636619642?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com)

### **Previous injuries in 2026**

Magbegor has played just 14 games (nine starts) this season for the Storm after dealing with foot and facial injuries.

The longest-tenured and highest-paid Storm player entered the WNBA season with a foot injury sustained in offseason play before making her season debut on July 2\. Magbegor played four games before suffering a facial fracture that forced her out until July 31.

Since then, Magbegor had begun to find her stride back in the Storm’s starting lineup. The FIBA break came after Magbegor had appeared in nine straight games for Seattle.

Magbegor played in all three of Australia’s prior World Cup games before her injury.

### **What it means for Storm**

The Storm awarded Magbegor a three-year, $3.75 million contract this offseason, making her the highest-paid player in franchise history and the fifth-highest-paid in the WNBA in average annual value ($1.25 million).

She wasn’t immediately in the starting lineup upon recovering from her foot injury, but eventually did settle back into her previous role. Head coach Sonia Raman has plenty of experience this season finding other lineups that will get the Storm through the final four games.

Expect some combination that includes Jade Melbourne, Flau’jae Johnson, Awa Fam and Dominique Malonga. Jordan Horston could fill the fifth spot if Natisha Hiedeman isn’t healthy enough to suit back up.

The long-term effects are much bigger than the short-term. Magbegor may not be ready for the start of the 2027 season, and her future with the franchise was already uncertain because of her large contract value relative to her statistical production.

Storm fans won’t have those answers for months, so it’s a waiting game for now. Either way, it’s a big loss for Australia and a brutal blow to a Storm player who has been committed to the roster rebuild.

The Storm (8-32) return to play at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, when they host the Las Vegas Aces (27-13) at Climate Pledge Arena.