Napheesa Collier made an impactful return to the court with a double-double while helping the Minnesota Lynx win its seventh straight game during a 86-76 victory over the Seattle Storm on Wednesday.
Collier, who had been out since September following offseason ankle surgeries, led all players with 24 points and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes. It was the five-time All-Star’s first game since Game 3 of the 2025 WNBA semifinals.
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The output marked the 24th straight regular-season game that Collier has recorded double digits in points and 14th in a row scoring at least 20.
Kayla McBride added 20 points, while Olivia Miles netted 13 points and 6 assists in the win.
It was during that semifinal to the eventual runners-up Phoenix Mercury that Collier tore three ligaments in her left ankle. That ankle was operated on in March, two months after undergoing a procedure on her right ankle. It wasn’t until July 1 that the 29-year-old forward returned to practice.
Collier is in her eighth WNBA season, all with the Lynx since being the sixth overall pick in the 2019 draft. Last year, she played 33 games and averaged a career-high 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. She missed three weeks in August after injuring her right ankle.
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The 2025 season also saw Collier be named All-Star Game MVP, as well as earning All-WNBA First Team and All-Defensive First Team honors.
The victory sends the Lynx into this weekend’s All-Star break with a league-best 22-6 record. Collier and company will be back in action when Minnesota returns home Tuesday night to face the Toronto Tempo.
