Lynx Star Napheesa Collier Provides Injury Update Ahead of WNBA Season

The Minnesota Lynx announced their re-signing of All-Star forward Napheesa Collier on Thursday, which ESPN’s Kendra Andrews reported was a one-year deal at the league’s new $1.4 million supermax.

The Lynx not locking up Collier beyond this season raised eyebrows, and Collier addressed it on Friday. Collier, Courtney Williams, and Kayla McBride held a press conference, and Collier was asked why she signed a one-year contract rather than a three-year pact.

“I’m so focused on right now with my injury and this year winning a championship,” Collier said, adding, “Just focused on this year and winning.”

Collier dealt with ankle injuries down the stretch of last season, ending with a Grade 2 tear in three ankle ligaments and a shin muscle injury suffered during Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury. She underwent offseason surgery to repair torn ligaments in both ankles.

At Friday’s press conference, she was also asked about her timetable to return to the Lynx.

“I think the Lynx are releasing a statement about that later,” Collier said, and as of this writing, the Lynx have not yet done so. “Right now, I’m just working as fast as I can with my doctors and my [physical therapy] staff, just trying to get back on the court. But everything is going well, so you’ll see me soon.”

The Lynx finished with a league-best 34-10 record before losing to the Mercury in the semifinals last season. The closest Minnesota has come to winning a championship during the Collier era was losing three games to two to the New York Liberty in the 2024 WNBA Finals.

The Lynx drafted Collier sixth overall out of UConn in 2019. The five-time All-Star and four-time All-WNBA star has developed into the face of the franchise, winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2024 but still awaiting her first WNBA MVP.

The Lynx will begin their quest for their first championship since 2017 when they open the 2026 season against the Atlanta Dream on May 10.

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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 7:06 PM.