The Lynx continued their push for the top seed in the WNBA playoffs and Napheesa Collier returned from an ankle injury to continue her campaign for the league’s MVP award Sunday night at Target Center.
The two pursuits once again aligned nicely as the Lynx defeated the Indiana Fever 97-84.
Collier received a loud ovation when announced with the starters before the game, and she was efficient from the start, making five of her first six shots.
She hadn’t played since Aug. 2 because of an ankle injury, yet she finished with 32 points on 11-for-16 shooting with nine rebounds, two assists and two steals. She was a game-best plus-24 for the WNBA-best Lynx (30-7), who went 5-2 in Collier’s absence, including a 95-90 victory at Indiana on Friday.
But MVP wasn’t the acronym she cited, saying watching from the sideline had given her “FOMO” (fear of missing out).
“When we are playing our defense, I don’t think there’s anyone who can beat us,” said Collier, who suffered a sprained right ankle during a collision with teammate Alanna Smith in a game Aug. 2 at Las Vegas. “It’s a good time to be a Lynx. … I just felt really good.”
Asked whether she could have asked for anything more, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said, “Sure — you can always imagine more. She’s that darn good. Happy to have her back, and obviously she was ready to play. Having her play makes it easier for everybody else.”
Reserve center Maria Kliundikova was the driving force behind the Lynx’s second-quarter surge. In eight first-half minutes, Kliundikova produced 11 points on 5-for-6 shooting with a rebound and an assist.