SerpApi.Org
Napheesa Collier needed one quarter to shake off the rust after missing the Minnesota Lynx's first 27 games of the WNBA season.
The rest of the way the former UConn star looked like the Most Valuable Player-caliber performer she's become.
In her 2026 debut, Collier finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes and had the first five points of a game-closing 9-0 run as the Lynx defeated the host Seattle Storm 86-76 at Climate Pledge Arena Wednesday.
Ankle injuries had sidelined the two-time Olympic gold medalist since Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals when she was hurt following a collision with Phoenix's Alyssa Thomas. She also missed the entire 3x3 Unrivaled season in the winter.
She was in the starting lineup Wednesday and was used in approximately three-minute increments by coach Cheryl Reeve.
"I'm going to be mindful of her minutes but don't say anything about a minutes restriction since she hates the idea," Reeve said before the game.
After missing six of her first seven shots, Collier would finish 9-for-20 from the floor and would make a pair of 3-pointers and all four of her free throws.
She would score six points in a 10-2 run to open the second half as the Lynx (22-6) erased a one-point deficit at the break.
With 1:18 left as Minnesota holding on to a 77-76 edge, Collier hit three free throws after being fouled behind the arc and would add a turn-around jumper on the next possession for a six-point lead. Four free throws accounted for the final score.
The league-leading Lynx have won seven straight and are 12-2 on the road heading into the All-Star break.
A year ago, Collier was the frontrunner for MVP honors before being sidelined on Aug. 2 with an ankle injury suffered against the Las Vegas Aces. She would finish second in the voting to the Aces' A'ja Wilson.
The second ankle injury would eventually lead to surgery.
Kayla McBride added 20 points for Minnesota, which returns to action Tuesday at home against the expansion Toronto Tempo.
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