Why is Nika Muhl not playing tonight vs Lynx? Storm rookie guard’s status explored (May 17)

Storm rookie Nika Muhl’s status explored

Seattle Storm rookie Nika Muhl is yet to make her WNBA debut. After being selected as the No. 14 overall pick in April’s draft, the Croatian guard hasn’t been able to suit up for her team for a second consecutive game.

The Storm announced today that Muhl was out for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Lynx due to a pending visa approval.

Storm head coach Noelle Quinn shared her thoughts on Muhl’s situation.

“Just stay patient. Just continue to focus on our day to day processes… Not worrying about anything else but the basketball at the moment… We have to control our controllables. It’s out of our hands as coaches and players,” Quinn said in today’s press conference.

Nika Muhl did play in the Storm’s home preseason game against the Phoenix Mercury. After she graduated from the University of Connecticut, her student visa status was terminated.

This leads to this moment where the second-rounder is still unable to set foot on the court due to an off-court issue. The Storm face the Lynx tonight as visitors. They travel to Washington, D.C., to face off against the Washington Mystics on Sunday.

Storm’s Twitter manager starred in blunder involving Nika Muhl

This situation can be confusing for many people, even if they’re a part of the team. The Seattle Storm Twitter manager recently made a blunder when she tried to hype up Nika Muhl’s debut with the team.

Hailey Robinson shared a video of Muhl entering the arena to face the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday, writing ‘ready for her debut’ as the caption. That was the original plan, but given Muhl’s situation, that was a big mistake.

Robinson apologized for the mistake, admitting she was convinced that Muhl was taking the court.

“I promise I didn’t know she wasn’t playing when I posted this.”

A lot of people are rooting for Muhl to make her much-awaited debut. Meanwhile, former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers is hyping up the Croatian player with her messages on social media.

“My glorious Nika, where do I even begin…. You make all the storms of my life go away & no lighting, thunder or sight of a cloudy day. You make me as happy as a cloudy day. You make me as happy as a new born puppy & you will forever be in my heart as a blue bleed husky.”

After a notable stay with the Huskies, it’s time for Nika Muhl to make an impact on the Storm, although it is unclear when that’ll happen.