Collier Returns: Are the Lynx Now WNBA Title Favorites?
Napheesa Collier’s Comeback: How a Mid-Season Return Could Finally Bring a Championship to Minnesota
The Big Picture
Imagine working incredibly hard at something you love, only to get hurt right before the finish line—not once, but twice. That’s exactly what happened to Napheesa Collier, the superstar forward for the Minnesota Lynx. After 11 months of surgeries, rehab, and waiting, she finally stepped back on the court in July 2026. But here’s the twist: her team was already winning without her.
Now, with Collier back in the lineup, the Lynx look scarier than ever. Could this be the year they finally win it all?
A Toast to Perseverance
The Moment It Got Real
On a July night in Seattle, Coach Cheryl Reeve met Collier at a hotel bar. Two glasses of champagne waited on the table.
"I want to toast you and the hard work you have put in to get here," Reeve said. "It’s been a long journey. You should be proud of yourself."
Earlier that day, doctors cleared Collier to play her first game of the season. They sipped, celebrated, then got down to business—just like they do every year.
The Injury Nightmare: What Happened?
Collier’s road back wasn’t just long—it was brutal. Here’s the timeline:
1. August 2, 2024 – The First Break
- Collier crashed the boards against Las Vegas
- Her right ankle rolled so badly her foot touched the floor
- Diagnosis: Torn shin muscle + three torn ligaments in right ankle
- Expected absence: 4–6 weeks
2. August 24, 2024 – The Rushed Return
- Came back for playoffs after 7 games
- Dropped 32 points in first game back
- But: "I was healthy enough to be on the court, but not healthy enough"
3. September 2024 – The Second Break
- Game 3 vs. Phoenix: collided with Alyssa Thomas
- Same injury. Left ankle this time.
- Doctor’s words: "Wow, we have never seen this before."
4. The Darkest Night
- Alone in her bathroom, propped on a scooter, both feet ruined
- Cried for 20 minutes
- Then: "I couldn’t control that my ankles got destroyed. I just go on to the next thing."
5. Surgeries & The Long Wait
| Surgery | Date | Ankle |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | January 2025 | Left |
| 2nd | March 2025 | Right |
- Couldn’t put weight on either leg between surgeries
- Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) failed first
- Total time missed: 11 months
The Lynx Didn’t Wait: They Got Better Without Her
While Collier rehabbed, Minnesota thrived. Here’s how:
Rookie Sensation: Olivia Miles
- No. 2 pick in 2026 draft
- ROY favorite & MVP candidate
- 20.0 PPG on 50.1% shooting + 6.2 APG
- 3rd-most points by a rookie in WNBA history (720 through 36 games)
- "As a rookie, I’m going to make mistakes and learn as I go"
Veterans Stepped Up Big Time
| Player | Role | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Kayla McBride | Guard | Career-high scoring |
| Courtney Williams | Guard | Career-high scoring |
| Natasha Howard | Forward | All-Star starter |
| Nia Coffey | Forward | Elite defender |
Team Success Without Collier
- Best record in WNBA (31-7) when she returned
- 2nd-best defense, 3rd-best offense
- First team to clinch playoff spot (August 8)
- Miles + Howard ran more pick-and-rolls than any duo in the league
"It was like, ‘Phee, look what we did.’" — Kayla McBride
The "Acquisition" That Changes Everything
Coach Reeve’s Mic-Drop Quote:
"Everyone was asking about acquisitions at the trade deadline, and [Collier] was our acquisition. I don’t know if anyone made a better transaction… She elevates us to something else."
Since Collier’s return (10 games):
- 19.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG
- Starting 5 (Collier, Williams, McBride, Miles, Howard): 134.4 offensive rating / 108.3 defensive rating
- 2nd trio in WNBA history to each average 18+ PPG on 50%+ shooting over 10 games (joining 2023 Aces’ Wilson/Young/Plum)
The Goal Shift: From "Win Everything" to "Peak at the Right Time"
Old Goals (2024 Season)
- Win MVP
- Win Defensive Player of the Year
- 50-40-90 shooting split (2nd player ever!)
New Goals (2025 Season)
"Before, I wanted [to win] everything. This year, everything feels… maybe slower. It’s freeing. I’m just trying to make sure that I am at my peak for playoffs."
— Napheesa Collier
The Playoff Ghost: Why This Year Feels Different
The Painful Pattern
| Year | Seed | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #2 | Lost Game 5 OT to New York |
| 2025 | #1 | Collapsed vs. Mercury in semis |
Reeve’s Realization
"How can we win 64 games in two years and not have a championship? My son said, ‘Mom, it’s someone else’s turn.’ … But now… when is it our turn?"
The New Theory
Collier’s mid-season return = fresh legs for the playoffs
- Most stars play 30+ games before postseason
- Collier has ~15 regular season games + FIBA World Cup (Aug 31–Sept 16) to ramp up
- "I wouldn’t want to take three weeks off when I’m just getting my conditioning back. I’m using it as part of this process."
Important Takeaways
KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER
- Collier missed 11 months with bilateral ankle surgeries—unprecedented injury
- Lynx went 31-7 WITHOUT her thanks to rookie Olivia Miles’ historic start
- Collier’s return isn’t "saving" the team—it’s adding a MVP-caliber player to an already-elite roster
- Goal shifted: Not individual awards → peaking for playoffs
- FIBA break = secret weapon for conditioning, not rest
- Two straight years of regular-season dominance + playoff heartbreak
- Reeve calls Collier "the best trade deadline acquisition"—and she didn’t cost a draft pick
Summary
Napheesa Collier’s story is one of resilience, perspective, and perfect timing. After the worst injury year of her career—two ankles, two surgeries, 11 months—she returns to a team that didn’t just survive without her, but thrived.
Rookie Olivia Miles emerged as a superstar. Veterans McBride and Williams had career years. Natasha Howard became an All-Star. The Lynx clinched the playoffs first.
Now? They get their best player back—fresh, focused, and peaking at exactly the right time.
As Collier puts it: "Maybe this is the break I needed to propel us all the way and win this thing."
The regular season is just the warm-up. The real season starts now.
FAQ
Why did Collier miss so much time?
She tore ligaments in her right ankle (August 2024), rushed back for playoffs, then tore her left ankle in the semifinals. Both ankles required reconstructive surgery (January & March 2025) after non-surgical treatment failed.
How good was the team without her?
Incredible. 31-7 record, best in the WNBA. Rookie Olivia Miles put up historic numbers (20 PPG, 50% shooting). The offense and defense both ranked top-3. They clinched a playoff spot before she returned.
Isn’t it hard to integrate a star player mid-season?
Usually, yes. But Miles said: "It’s easy to insert people into this. Especially someone like Phee." Collier has set 100+ screens for Miles since returning—they’re building chemistry fast.
What’s different about Collier’s mindset this year?
She’s stopped chasing individual awards (MVP, DPOY, 50-40-90). Her only goal: be at 100% for the playoffs. She’s using every minute—including the FIBA World Cup break—as preparation.
Can they actually win the championship this year?
They have the talent (arguably the deepest roster in the league), the coaching (Reeve = winningest in WNBA history), and now the fresh superstar. The only thing missing? Getting past the semifinals. This version of the Lynx might finally do it.