It has been a brutal few months for Napheesa Collier as the five-time WNBA All-Star has been dealing with major issues with both her left and right ankle. She had surgery on her left ankle in March of this year, and surgery on her right ankle back in January.
The Minnesota Lynx have been playing well without their star player early in the season, as they own the best record in the WNBA at 5-2. Minnesota will, no doubt, welcome Phee’s return as soon as she is ready to play.
Below, we will offer up an injury update on Collier and look at potential return dates. We will also take a glance at Collier’s MVP odds and the Lynx’s odds to win the title.
Napheesa Collier injury update: When will Lynx star return?
Collier missed seven games late in the regular season in 2025 due to a right ankle sprain. Then, in Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury, Collier suffered a Grade 2 tear of three ligaments in her left ankle on a controversial collision with Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas.
Collier initially opted to try and rehab the ankles in the off-season without surgery, but it was eventually determined that surgery on both ankles was needed. The procedure on her right ankle in January forced her to miss the entire Unrivaled basketball season. She is still recovering from the surgery on her left ankle in March, but the Lynx have maintained that she will return to basketball activities in early June.
It’s unlikely that Collier will jump right into game action, as she will likely need a 1 or 2 week ramp-up period.
Here is a look at the Lynx’s schedule around the time Collier is expected to return, barring any setbacks.
- Saturday, June 13: Lynx at Aces
- Monday, June 15: Fire at Lynx
- Wednesday, June 17: Lynx at Sparks
- Friday, June 19: Lynx at Valkyries
- Sunday, June 21: Mystiks at Lynx
Napheesa Collier odds
Despite the injury, Collier began the WNBA season with +800 odds to win MVP. Only A’ja Wilson (+220) and Caitlin Clark (+240) appeared ahead of her on the MVP odds board.
Collier is currently +5000 to win MVP at Fanatics Sportsbook. Seven players now appear ahead of her on the board.
Missing over an entire month of the season will certainly not help her case, but Collier is still an elite talent that could climb into the MVP conversation later in the season. The former UConn star finished runner-up in WNBA MVP voting the past two seasons.
Minnesota Lynx odds
Despite the 5-2 start and with Collier likely to come back relatively soon, the Lynx are +700 to win the WNBA title at Fanatics.
The Liberty (+240), Aces (+400), Dream (+500), and Fever (+600) have shorter odds to win it all.
Fanatics also has regular season win total prices for the Lynx. Over 25 wins is priced at -200, 30+ wins is +170, 35+ wins is +800, and 40+ wins is +3000.
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