Lynx’s Collier returns to practice: ‘It’s the same goal as every year. To win a championship.’
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Two familiar faces joined Minnesota Lynx practice Wednesday. That morning the team announced that star forward Napheesa Collier and forward Dorka Juhász would be returning to practice activities.
This comes after both underwent ankle surgeries: Collier after injuries during the 2025 season, and Juhász after she injured her right foot in April while playing in a EuroLeague Women Semifinals game in the WNBA’s offseason. Their recovery sidelined them for a little over a quarter of the 2026 season.
“It’s the same goal as every year: to win a championship,” Collier said during a practice Wednesday. “I think we have the pieces we need to do that.”
Collier sprained her right ankle in August and tore three left ankle ligaments and a shin muscle during Game 3 of the semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury in September.
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“You’re getting players that know how to play basketball. What that means to the group is that things get easier,” Coach Cheryl Reeve said. “They do things so instinctually so it makes things easier for everybody else.”
But even without these iconic Minnesota players, the Lynx lead the WNBA’s Western Conference 15-4. Rookie Olivia Miles has become the latest fan favorite averaging 18.7 points, 5.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game.
Veterans Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride return as starters. New and returning to the team, but veterans in the league, Nia Coffey and Natasha Howard, have rounded out the starters.
Collier has remained engaged with her teammates as the runner up to MVP last season and a “franchise player,” as Reeve says. Throughout games, Collier often joins huddles offering advice. Reeve said this has been a vital substitute to support Collier’s mental health.
“We always talk about, she is queen of FOMO,” Reeve said. “It’s hard when you’re injured. You don’t get to be in the same space and go through the same emotions together."
When Lynx fans will be able to see their return to a game is unknown. Minnesota heads to New York as they face the Liberty who is coming off a victory in the Commissioner’s Cup.
