Overview
- Collier made her 2026 season debut on Wednesday, scoring 24 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in about 22 minutes while the Lynx beat the Seattle Storm 86-76 to move to 22-6.
- Coach Cheryl Reeve enforced a minutes restriction and said the return is cautious, warning this is 'not a full tilt' and that Collier still has steps to complete in her recovery.
- Minnesota built the league’s best record without Collier, riding a winning streak and breakout play from rookie Olivia Miles and steady production from veterans.
- Collier underwent surgeries on both ankles in the offseason, returned to team practice on July 1, and was listed as 'probable' for the July 22 game before being activated.
- Her return reshapes Minnesota’s rotations and title outlook by adding an elite two-way star to a deep roster, with the team expected to incrementally increase her minutes before the playoffs.