Napheesa Collier returned from injury with a remarkable performance in a 97-84 victory over the Indiana Fever. The All-Star forward scored 32 points and pulled down nine rebounds in her first game back after missing three weeks with a right ankle sprain.
Napheesa Collier Shines in Return: Lynx Star Reacts to First Game Back
Collier Had Fear of Missing Out Injury Layoff
The Minnesota Lynx strengthened their push for the top seed in the WNBA playoffs on Sunday night, and Napheesa Collier marked her return with a performance that showed why she remains in the MVP race.
The All-Star forward received loud cheers when she was introduced in the starting lineup. From the opening minutes, she looked sharp, sinking five of her first six shots. By the end of the game, Collier had scored 32 points on 11-for-16 shooting while adding nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals. She also posted a game-high plus-24 rating, proving just how much her presence lifts Minnesota.
Lynx Stay Strong While Collier Was Out
Collier had not played since August 2, when she hurt her ankle in a collision with teammate Alanna Smith during a road game in Las Vegas. Even without her, the Lynx managed to stay on track. They went 5-2 in the seven games she missed, which included a win over the Indiana Fever on Friday and two victories against the defending champion New York Liberty.
Sunday’s result pushed Minnesota’s record to 30-7, the best in the league. The Lynx now hold a six-game lead over the Atlanta Dream, who sit in second at 24-13. Minnesota is in a strong position to lock up the No. 1 seed with just seven regular-season games left.
“It definitely felt good,” Collier said after the game. “I feel like I had to knock a little bit of the rust off, Courtney could have had 11 assists. More than anything it felt good to be back with the team. It feels like you’re on the outside when you’re not playing, I’m having such FOMO. It feels so good to be on the court with them again”
Collier Still in Race for MVP
Collier’s impressive performance bolsters her MVP chances in a race that picked up pace during her absence. The five-time All-Star was playing the best basketball of her career before the injury. She averaged 23.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.6 blocks in 26 games leading up to Sunday. She also shot an efficient 53.7 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from three-point range — numbers that made her the clear MVP frontrunner before she went down.
Even with her time away, Collier is still regarded as the favorite in the MVP race. But the gap has narrowed as Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson, who is chasing her fourth MVP since 2020, and Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas, who is aiming for her first, both closed in during Collier’s absence. With the regular season winding down, the award has become a three-player battle, with Collier firmly back in the mix.
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