Minnesota Lynx: Napheesa Collier’s Return Is Near, But Olivia Miles Is Already a Star

(Article by Myron Medcalf, who covers college basketball, joined ESPN in 2011, and graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Published July 11, 2026, 01:01 PM ET, from Minneapolis.)

What’s the Big Picture? (Explained Simply)

The WNBA is a league where the best women’s basketball players in the world compete on different teams. Think of it like a big tournament where teams try to win the most games.

One team is the Minnesota Lynx (from Minneapolis). Right now, they are doing great:

• They have won 17 games and lost 6 (written as 17-6).
• They are tied for first place with the Las Vegas Aces (another team).

On Saturday, the Lynx played a very close game against the New York Liberty and won 90-85. After that game, their coach (the team boss) Cheryl Reeve shared some happy news.

Napheesa Collier: The Main Star Getting Ready to Play Again

Napheesa Collier (nicknamed "Phee") is an All-Star—that means she is one of the best players chosen for a special mid-season game. She had surgery on both her ankles in the offseason (doctors fixed her ankles when games weren’t happening). Because of that, she hasn’t played this season yet.

Coach Reeve says Collier’s return is imminent (meaning very soon). Here’s what the coach said after the win:

"You don’t know what the game situations are going to bring, and so it’s going to be a little bit of feeling it out, trial and error. I don’t have a date for you as to when, but obviously she’s getting really close."

Collier has been practicing recently to get ready for her first game of the season. She was also second place for the MVP (Most Valuable Player—the best player award) in both 2024 and 2025, losing to A’ja Wilson.

Important Point: Even though another player is doing amazingly well (we’ll meet her next), the coach and teammates all agree the team is still Collier’s team. She is the leader.

Before Saturday’s game, Reeve said:

"With regard to her [return], it’s still Phee’s team. There is not anybody that walks into the gym that doesn’t know that it’s still Phee’s team. What’s great is [Courtney Williams] and [Kayla McBride], they’re very happy to declare that it’s Phee’s team."

Olivia Miles: The Rookie (First-Year Player) Shining Bright

While Collier was out, a newcomer named Olivia Miles stepped up. A "rookie" is someone in their first year in the league.

On Saturday, she scored 23 points (like scores in a video game for making baskets), grabbed 5 rebounds (catching the ball after a missed shot), and gave 4 assists (passing to a teammate who then scores). She was named an All-Star starter (fans/coaches voted her to start the special game).

According to ESPN’s number crunchers, she became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach:

• 350 points
• 100 rebounds
• 100 assists

All together in her early career! That’s like breaking a speed record.

Coach Reeve says Miles plays with "tenacity and toughness" (she tries super hard and is strong) and that’s key to her success. But Reeve also says it’s too early to call Miles the leader instead of Collier.

What Teammates and Coach Say About the Future

The Lynx have 5 more games (including 3 at their home court) before the WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago on July 25.

Kayla McBride (another player) scored a game-high 25 points (including 5 shots from far away called three-pointers) and helped the team come back after the Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu scored 19 points in the third part of the game. McBride said everyone is excited for Collier to join:

"I think when you care about one another and you’re trying to win every possession, you’re competing together, you’re always trying to find a way. And then obviously adding an MVP candidate for the last couple years into that mix just gets us really excited. But we’ve been holding it down and it’s been a lot of fun. I think there’s a lot of cohesion, a lot of confidence in one another right now and just finding ways to win. And that’s the name of the game. That’s what this league is about."

Reeve also mentioned that Collier will benefit from playing with Miles, comparing Miles to great point guards (a player who helps organize the team) from the past like Seimone Augustus and Maya Moore. Reeve said:

"She needs more than herself, and that’s for her to play with a point guard like Olivia Miles that Seimone Augustus got to play with, that Maya Moore got to play with — the natural point guard. [Collier] hasn’t experienced that yet. And this is what we’re going to be able to do and for her to be able to see what that’s like. Then maybe let’s get some games with [Collier and Miles] together and figure out what they look like and then we can start putting in a pecking order."

Also, Reeve recently set a record: she now has the most regular-season wins by a head coach in WNBA history, after a win over the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday (86-80).

Other Important Players and Notes

• Natasha Howard (teammate) scored 16 points Saturday and is also considered an MVP candidate alongside Miles.
• Editor’s Pick: ESPN has another story about Olivia Miles’ rookie season if you want to read more.
• The Lynx are tied with the Las Vegas Aces for the best record entering the weekend.
• Reeve said about Miles’ toughness: "natural" and key, but added: "I think it’s premature to anoint anyone other than [Collier] as the leader of this team."

Summary

Let’s recap in simple bullet points:

• The Minnesota Lynx are a top WNBA team with a 17-6 record.
• Their main star, Napheesa Collier, is almost ready to return after ankle surgery; she remains the team’s leader.
• Rookie Olivia Miles has been spectacular, breaking records and becoming an All-Star starter.
• The team is excited to combine Collier and Miles soon.
• Coach Cheryl Reeve is the winningest coach in league history.
• They have five games (three at home) before the All-Star break on July 25.

FAQ

1. What is the WNBA?
The WNBA is a professional basketball league for women in the United States. It’s like the women’s version of the NBA.

2. Who is Napheesa Collier?
She is a star player for the Minnesota Lynx, nicknamed "Phee." She was second-best player (MVP runner-up) in 2024 and 2025 and is coming back from ankle surgery.

3. Why is Olivia Miles special?
She is a first-year player (rookie) who quickly became one of the best, setting a record for fastest to 350 points, 100 rebounds, and 100 assists. She was voted to start in the All-Star Game.

4. When is the All-Star Game?
It will be in Chicago on July 25, 2026. The Lynx will play five more games before that.

5. What does "MVP" mean?
MVP stands for Most Valuable Player. It’s an award given to the player thought to be the best and most helpful to their team in a season.