The Minnesota Lynx are at the top of the league table and are enjoying a six-game winning streak. Star rookie Olivia Miles has outpaced the likes of Caitlin Clark to reach 400 points, 100 rebounds, and 100 assists. And now, the league leaders look set to welcome back their franchise player, Napheesa Collier, and that possibility has their fans hyped.

Collier is listed as probable for Wednesday, July 22, 2026, for the Lynx’s game against the Seattle Storm. If she does feature in this game, it would mark the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year’s 2026 WNBA season debut.

Collier has had a long and complicated road to recovery. She suffered a right ankle sprain during a regular-season game against the Las Vegas Aces on August 2, 2025. She then sustained a severe left ankle injury in Game 3 of the WNBA Semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury.

This injury was upgraded to a grade 2 tear of three ligaments and additional muscle damage to her shin. But despite this, she played through the remainder of the Lynx’s playoff run.

She then underwent surgeries to address the lingering damage in both ankles. The initial recovery timeline was established at four to six months, and that has resulted in her missing the ‘Unrivaled’ tournament as well.

The Lynx are doing fine without her at the moment, but the kind of numbers Collier was hitting last season leaves the fans wondering what lies ahead. She has shown an innate capacity to break seemingly unbreakable records.

This was on display when she became only the second player in WNBA history to achieve a 50/40/90 season (She shot 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line over an entire regular season), while averaging over 20 points per game.

With Collier finally listed as probable, fans wasted no time in sharing their elation as they hope to see Phee back in action.

Napheesa Collier’s return has been long overdue

Lynx fans erupted on social media celebrating Collier’s imminent return.

“YES! Phee’s back!! Lynx about to be even more unstoppable 🔥 Let’s go!,” one fan said. “Team with the best record adds the league’s maybe 2nd best player
Almost doesn’t seem fair… Lol 🔥#Phee,” another fan added.

Indeed, Collier’s 2025 regular season numbers give us a glimpse of how good she was for the Lynx last year. With a stat line of 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, Collier finished the 2025 season ranking second in MVP standings, only behind A’ja Wilson, for a second consecutive year.

Meanwhile, others can’t wait to see their franchise star link up with their brightest prospect on the court. “I’m very curious to see how Phee plays with Olivia Miles,” another fan said. Phee and Miles won’t be stopped!” wrote one.

One of the reasons the Lynx have been able to do so well is because of Olivia Miles. The number 2 pick in the 2026 draft has carried the offensive load. In such a short period, she has cemented herself as the Lynx’s playmaker, leading the team in points (19.6 per game) and assists (6 per game).

“Once she returns, it’s curtains for the league!” one fan said. “They’re running the league without their best player lol league cooked,” a fan added.

With a 21-6 record this season, the Lynx look like a solid team that looks built for a deep playoff run. Not many teams in the league can boast being top of the league without their main piece, who was a key contributor on both sides of the court.

The Lynx are expected to play Collier with a minutes restriction as we approach the All-Star break. It won’t be a surprise if Napheesa Collier finally sees some action against the Seattle Storm on July 22.