Collier’s Return Couldn’t Come At A Better Time

It’s rare that an eight-day break comes so early in the WNBA season, but at 0-3 to start the season, Minnesota Lynx Head Coach and General Manager Cheryl Reeve is eager to use the hiatus to get her team on the same page.

“This is like gold,” Reeve said following Saturday’s practice. “Call it ‘gold,’ and [players] are kind of excited about seeking gold and hanging onto it.. We have a group that hasn’t been together and is now together, and we desperately need this time.”

Saturday’s practice marked the return of All-WNBA talent Napheesa Collier following a successful overseas season in France. One of the most versatile players in the WNBA, Collier should give the Lynx a boost on both ends of the floor.

“She’s doing Phee-like things,” Reeve complimented the third-year forward. “It’s nice to have that back. I know that Phee will take it upon herself to be a leader in terms of the effort areas and the things that it takes to win possessions, win games.

“I think we’ve missed that at times.”

Collier flew in from France last week, and had to watch her team struggle while in COVID-19 quarantine protocols. Observing from afar, the 2019 WNBA Rookie of the Year is ready to help her team bounce back.

“It was really hard,” Collier admitted. “To be so close, but not be able to play with the team is really hard. Especially the last game [versus Seattle], I thought we played so, so well for most of the game and then it just slipped away from us. It was tough not being able to play with them, but today felt great being back on the court and being around [teammates] more.”

Part of the challenge ahead for Collier is integrating with newcomers Kayla McBride and Aerial Powers, who will likely join the UConn product in the Lynx starting lineup. Reeve, however, isn’t worried about a lack of chemistry when it comes to Collier.

“The game is just so simple for Phee,” Reeve explained. “She’s gonna make those guys look good. Phee’s just a really good basketball player… We haven’t played at a high enough level that Phee would accept. That’s the mission this week: we’re gonna all be on the same page at how hard we’re gonna play and the things that we like to do basketball-wise. Phee is only gonna elevate that and bring out the best in the other [players].”

“[McBride and Powers] are obviously two really good players,” Collier added. “It was cool to see them in action in practice rather than in games. Both of them, I’d only seen them in game when we were playing against them and now these couple games [this season]… It was good to get used to their style of play.”

The Lynx return to action Friday night when they visit the Seattle Storm