Fire to keep injured forward in team rehab as season ends for newcomer
The Portland Fire announced Thursday that Sania Feagin, a forward who had just joined the team on a developmental contract, tore an anterior cruciate ligament and will miss the rest of the 2026 WNBA season. The club said Feagin will undergo surgery and complete her rehabilitation with the Fire’s performance staff.
Feagin, a 6-foot-3 former South Carolina Gamecock who had played for the Los Angeles Sparks, signed with Portland on June 24 and had attended only a handful of practices before the injury. Between the 2025 and 2026 seasons she appeared in 19 WNBA games and averaged 1.1 points per game.
“Obviously really unfortunate news,” Fire coach Alex Sarama said. “I especially just love how Sania integrated with the group and did such a great job learning the principles, learning the playbook and just really gelling with all the teammates.”
Sarama said the organization plans to keep Feagin around as part of the long-term plan, both to provide medical care and to let her continue learning from coaches and teammates while she rehabs. The club noted that keeping her in Portland through recovery will require maintaining her contract status.
What the loss means for Portland
Feagin was brought in primarily to add size on the glass and rim protection — areas the Fire have tried to shore up as they build a competitive roster. Though she never logged a minute in a Fire uniform, coaches emphasized the value of having her in team practices and meetings for development and continuity.
- Injury timeline: Torn ACL discovered before Thursday’s game against Las Vegas; surgery planned.
- Team response: Staff to oversee rehab; player to remain on contract and integrate into daily team work.
- Roster impact: Portland loses depth at forward and defensive rebounding for the remainder of the season.
Basic profile and recent numbers
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Player | Sania Feagin |
| Height | 6-foot-3 |
| College | South Carolina |
| Last WNBA team | Los Angeles Sparks |
| Signed with Fire | June 24, 2026 (developmental contract) |
| 2025–26 WNBA games | 19 games, 1.1 points per game |
For Portland, the move to keep Feagin under contract while she rehabs is an example of how teams are balancing short-term roster needs with longer-term player development. The Fire say Feagin will receive care from their performance team as she works toward a return; the timetable for recovery from an ACL tear typically stretches well into the following season, depending on the individual case and surgical outcome.
Coach Sarama praised Feagin’s early integration and emphasized the club’s intention to support her through rehab. While the Fire will need to adjust their rotation the rest of the season, the organization framed the decision as part of a longer-term plan to develop talent and provide continuity in player care.
