Lynx Get Their MVP Back and Stacey Dales Says the WNBA Should Be Worried

The Minnesota Lynx just got a whole lot scarier. And that’s saying something for a team that already owns a 22-6 record.

Napheesa Collier returned to the floor on July 22 after missing the first chunk of the season with a severe ankle injury she suffered in the 2025 playoffs. In her first game back against the Seattle Storm, she put up 24 points and 10 rebounds in only 22 minutes. She shot 9-of-20 from the field, knocked down two threes, and went perfect from the line. For someone who hadn’t played competitive minutes since tearing three ligaments in her left ankle last fall, that’s not just a solid return. That’s a statement.

“This is scary”

Former WNBA player and current ESPN analyst Stacey Dales didn’t hold back when talking about what Collier’s return means for the rest of the league. During an appearance on Women’s Sports Now, Dales broke down the situation like this:

“You’re talking about a Minnesota team that is 22-6. Yeah, they’re at the tops of the WNBA right now, and for her to have not played since tearing those three ligaments in the left ankle, Game Three semifinals of the WNBA playoffs last season, for her to come out with a double-double, what? This is scary. This is scary.”

Dales also pointed out that the Lynx are already rolling without Collier. Olivia Miles has been on fire. Kayla McBride is having a season that could land her in the MVP conversation. And now you add the reigning MVP back into that mix. It’s not hard to see why the rest of the WNBA might be paying close attention to what’s happening in Minnesota.

What Collier’s return changes

The Lynx haven’t just survived without Collier. They’ve thrived. They sit at the top of the Western Conference, ahead of Golden State and Las Vegas. They’ve won seven straight games. But there’s a difference between being a really good team and being a legit championship favorite. Collier’s presence pushes them into that second category.

Cheryl Reeve is already the winningest coach in WNBA history. Now she gets to add the best player in the league back to a roster that’s already clicking. That’s not a good situation for the rest of the league. That’s a problem.

The Lynx host the Toronto Tempo on July 28 at 8 p.m. ET. It’ll be another chance to see how this team looks with its full arsenal. If Collier’s debut is any indication, the answer is: pretty terrifying.