Napheesa Collier Poised for Return in Minnesota Lynx’s Final Pre-All-Star Game

Minnesota Lynx listed forward Napheesa Collier as probable for the Wednesday matchup against the Seattle Storm, positioning her for a season debut in the team’s last game before the All-Star break. The designation follows her return to team practice on July 1, marking her first on-court activity since tearing three ligaments in her left ankle during Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals in September.

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Collier underwent two offseason ankle surgeries: the right ankle was addressed on New Year’s Day and the left ankle in March. Initial medical estimates projected a four-to-six-month recovery. After resuming practice on July 1, she continues a rehabilitation process that previously saw her miss three weeks in August after a right-ankle injury and a 74-day post-partum return following the birth of her first child.

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A five-time All-Star and four-time All-WNBA selection, Collier finished last season as a leading MVP candidate. She posted averages of 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, and became the second player in league history to record a 50-40-90 shooting split in a single season.

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Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve indicated that the team will encourage Collier to concentrate on incremental progress rather than immediate perfection.

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