The Minnesota Lynx have climbed to the top of the WNBA standings even without five-time All-Star forward Napheesa Collier, who joked that she’s been experiencing serious “FOMO” while sidelined with injury.
Well, she likely won’t have to feel the fear of missing out much longer.
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The Lynx revealed Collier resumed team practice activities on Wednesday, July 1, marking a significant step toward returning to the court 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.”
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Collier said there’s no set target date for her return, but that she plans to “hit the ground running.” The ultimate objective is to win a championship, the Lynx’s first since 2017, Collier added.
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“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.”
Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve said Collier and forward Dorka Juhász, who also resumed practice on Wednesday, will add depth to the team’s frontcourt when they 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’re doing they have to get up to speed on, so I kind of saw their focus there.”
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Collier 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. 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.
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.
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) looks on before the second half against the Atlanta Dream at Target Center on May 9, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Lynx have jumped to a league-leading 15-4 record behind the sensational play of rookie guard Olivia Miles. Collier said she’s “excited to get on the court and play with her.”
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“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.”
Collier said integrating back into the lineup alongside new players, like Miles and 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.”
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Napheesa Collier ‘feels good’ to be back at practice after ankle surgeries
