'Feels Good to Be Back': Napheesa Collier Returns to Minnesota Lynx Practice

Napheesa Collier admits it's been challenging to watch from the sidelines as the Minnesota Lynx have risen to the top of the WNBA. However, her wait is almost over.

On Wednesday, Collier practiced for the first time since her offseason ankle surgery. She didn't specify a target date, but she is certainly progressing toward being able to return to Minnesota's lineup.

"Feels good to be back," Collier said. "I'm progressing really well. Obviously it's hard to be out and not with the team, trying to be a player coach out there for them as best as I can, but definitely feels better to be on the court."

Collier had both ankles operated on after 2025 injuries. She sprained an ankle in August, missing 11 games, then tore three ligaments and suffered a shin injury in a collision with Alyssa Thomas in the semifinals against Phoenix.

The Lynx hold the WNBA's best record at 15-4, driven by rookie Olivia Miles, and Collier said watching from afar has increased her motivation to return.

"For me, it's the same goals every year. I feel like we have the pieces to do that," Collier said, pointing to a first title since 2017 as the objective. "Our team has done so well and that creates even more FOMO because I want to be out there celebrating with them."

Coach Cheryl Reeve said Collier and forward Dorka Juhász, who also returned to practice Wednesday, will deepen a frontcourt that has carried the team all season. Both, she noted, have real catching up to do on schemes installed in their absence.

"They've worked so hard in terms of the ramping up, two on twos, three on threes," Reeve said. "There's a lot of stuff that we're doing they have to get up to speed on, so I kind of saw their focus there."

Last year, Collier was only the second in WNBA history to post a 50-40-90 season, shooting 50% from field, 40% from 3, and 90% at the line, finishing second in MVP behind A'ja Wilson.

Fitting in with newcomers like Miles, Natasha Howard, and Nia Coffey is Collier's main challenge, and she wants practice reps before games.

"That's why I'm in practice right now, so you can try to work out all those kinks," Collier said. "Making sure that we're fitting in well as a team, that we're adding to them, that we're giving them a boost when they're already doing so well during the season."

She is eager to share the floor with Miles, whose play has driven Minnesota's rise.

"She's really impressive," Collier said. "She has a lot of things you can't teach in the way that she can see the court and her passing ability. I think she's also fun to watch. It's really entertaining, the swag she has brought."

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