Lynx's championship chances only increase with Collier update

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier. Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Lynx's championship chances only increase with Napheesa Collier update

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jul 1, 2026 2:56 PM ET

The Minnesota Lynx have been the WNBA's best team this season, so how much will they improve when forward Napheesa Collier returns?

Minnesota should know soon. Collier took a major step in her recovery from ankle injuries on Wednesday.

Lynx make a huge Napheesa Collier announcement

The Lynx confirmed Collier, who hasn't played this season since undergoing ankle surgeries in January and March, returned to basketball activities. It's unclear when she will make her debut, but the team will provide updates as she progresses.

"It's been going well, I'm progressing really well, but obviously it's hard to be out, not be with the team," Collier said, via Andrew Dukowitz of Zone Coverage Minnesota. "I've been trying to take advantage of it, get healthy, bring my perspective, which is different from the sideline than on the court. So, trying to be like a player-coach out there for them, as best as I can, but it definitely feels better to be on the court."

Napheesa Collier injury update pic.twitter.com/rKxOznSHca
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) July 1, 2026

Collier, 29, finished second in MVP voting last season behind Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson after averaging career highs in points (22.9) and field-goal percentage (53.1 percent) during the regular season. She averaged 20.6 PPG during the playoffs before injuring her left ankle in the semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury. The right ankle injury was a lingering issue stemming from a sprain suffered in August 2025.

Napheesa Collier on being back at practice and how the ankles have progressed

“It’s been going well, I’m progressing really well but obviously it’s hard to be out, not to be with the team. I’ve been trying to take advantage of it, get healthy, bring my perspective which is… pic.twitter.com/UOKSr8nBSZ
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) July 1, 2026

Don't count on Collier playing at that level when she returns. Luckily, the Lynx don't need her to, with the emergence of rookie guard Olivia Miles. Through 19 games, the second pick of the 2026 WNBA Draft leads the team in scoring (18.7 per game) and assists (5.7). Entering Wednesday, she ranked ninth in the WNBA in scoring and eighth in assists.

When Collier gets up to speed, she and Miles could form one of the premier duos in the league. It may be a tandem that powers Minnesota to its fifth championship.

Entering Wednesday, the Lynx (15-4) owned the top record in the league. FanDuel Sportsbook also gave them the best odds (+150) to win the championship.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

More must-reads: