Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier is expected to return to on-court basketball activities in early June, the team announced Tuesday, after she had surgery on her left ankle March 24.
Collier also had surgery on her right ankle in early January. Her rehabilitation is progressing as expected, the team said.
"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," Collier told reporters on Friday, where she sported a boot and crutches. "But everything is going well, so you'll see me soon."
Ahead of her first surgery, Collier was ruled out on New Year's Day for four to six months, including the entirety of the Unrivaled season. She suffered both injuries during the latter half of the WNBA season, missing three weeks of the regular season with the right ankle injury before tearing three ligaments in her left ankle during the semifinals.
The 6-foot-1 forward and five-time All-Star came in second in MVP voting last season, averaging 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. She also recorded the league's second 50-40-90 campaign. Collier recently signed a one-year supermax contract to return to the Lynx for 2026 and will be an unrestricted free agent next year.
"I'm so focused on, right now, with my injury and this year and winning a championship," she said when asked about her future in Minnesota. "That is what I'm doing, so getting back with our amazing staff, playing with our amazing players and just focused on this year and winning."
Aside from Collier's absence, the Lynx also have a new look going into the 2026 season with Alanna Smith, Bridget Carleton, Jessica Shepard, Natisha Hiedeman and DiJonai Carrington all on new teams, though they did retain top guards Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams.
The Lynx begin their season May 10 at home against the Atlanta Dream.
