Napheesa Collier update is great news for Olivia Miles and WNBA-best Lynx

Napheesa Collier is on her way back.

Not that the Minnesota Lynx have been lost without Collier, but the return of their superstar is sure to be greeted warmly in Minneapolis -- just as it is sure to be met with heavy sighs from the rest of the WNBA.

Without Collier, the Lynx have surged to the WNBA's best record again in 2026. Record-setting rookie Olivia Miles dropped a game-high 21 points and provided eight assists on Sunday as Minnesota picked up a road win over the Dallas Wings to improve to 15-4.

MORE: Lynx's Olivia Miles sets all-time WNBA record faster than Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers

And now, according to the WNBA's app, Collier -- out all season to date -- is a game-time decision for the Lynx's blockbuster matchup against the New York Liberty on Friday.

Unironic 🚨🚨🚨Per the Lynx WNBA app Napheesa Collier and Dorka Juhasz upgraded to game time decision ahead of the NYL game Friday pic.twitter.com/jm8SgsD5Qd

Collier, a five-time All-Star and two-time All-WNBA selection, has not played since she suffered a serious ankle injury on Sept. 26, 2025. Collier's injury knocked her out of the WNBA semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury and rendered her unable to participate in Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 league she co-founded with Breanna Stewart.

Collier underwent surgery on her left ankle to repair torn ligaments in January before she endured a second procedure in March. Collier's target return date was sometime before the All-Star Game -- and Friday could well be the day that fans finally see her partnership with Miles take flight for the first time.

This is the Olivia Miles show pic.twitter.com/T4HE8iScsJ

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