Napheesa Collier resumed team practice on Wednesday, July 1, progressing after surgery on both ankles earlier this year. The five-time All-Star forward called the move a relief, while Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said her and Dorka Juhász’s return will strengthen t
For Napheesa Collier, the biggest win in her comeback might be as simple as stepping onto the court again.
The Minnesota Lynx revealed the five-time All-Star forward resumed team practice activities on Wednesday, July 1, a major step toward returning to the floor for her season debut after undergoing surgery on both ankles earlier this year.
“Feels good to be back,” Collier said on Wednesday after being a full participant in practice. “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.”
She said there is no set target date for her return, but her focus is on coming back ready to contribute immediately. “I’m progressing really well,” Collier added, and said she plans to “hit the ground running.”
That motivation comes with a familiar edge: watching her teammates play at a high level while she’s sidelined. Collier joked she’s been dealing with “FOMO” during her time away, and she suggested it’s not going away quickly.
“For me, it’s the same goals every year…I feel like we have the pieces to do that,” Collier said. “Our team has done so well and that creates even more FOMO because I want to be out there celebrating with them.”
Minnesota’s longer-term goal is championship basketball—its first title since 2017—and Collier said the team’s current rhythm makes that objective feel even more urgent.
Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve said Collier’s return, alongside forward Dorka Juhász—who also resumed practice on Wednesday—adds frontcourt depth when both make their season debut.
“They’ve worked so hard in terms of the ramping up — two on twos, three on threes,” Reeve said. “So I think for them, they looked pretty excited to be out there and executing…there’s a lot of stuff that we have to get up to speed on, so I kind of saw their focus there.”
Collier’s surgeries followed a difficult end to her 2025 season. She underwent surgeries in both ankles this offseason after suffering multiple ankle injuries during the 2025 WNBA season. She injured her ankle during a 111-58 win over the Las Vegas Aces in August 2025 and missed 11 games.
Later, during Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury, Collier suffered a Grade 2 tear of three ankle ligaments and shin muscle after a collision with Alyssa Thomas.
Still, her track record has kept Minnesota’s ceiling in view. Collier became the second WNBA player in league history to record a 50-40-90 regular season last year by shooting 50% from the field. 40% from the 3-point line and 90% from the free throw line. She finished second in MVP voting behind A’ja Wilson.
The Lynx, meanwhile, have surged to the top of the standings even without her—rising to a league-leading 15-4 record. Rookie guard Olivia Miles has been central to that start.
Collier said she’s excited to get back on the court and play alongside the first-year standout. “I’m excited to get on the court and play with her,” she said.
“She’s really impressive,” Collier added. “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.”
For Collier, the next step isn’t just medical progress—it’s timing and chemistry. She said reintegrating into the lineup alongside new players, including Miles, as well as forwards Natasha Howard and Nia Coffey, will be the biggest learning curve.
“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 team, that we’re adding to them, that we’re giving them a boost when they’re already doing so well during the season.”
The Lynx didn’t put a date on her return. But on Wednesday, July 1, Collier made it clear the direction is steady: practice is where she’s preparing to rejoin the run—one she doesn’t want to miss any longer than necessary.
Napheesa Collier Minnesota Lynx WNBA ankle surgery team practice Cheryl Reeve Dorka Juhász Olivia Miles Natasha Howard Nia Coffey WNBA standings