​CHICAGO, USA – May 23: Napheesa Collier 24 Minnesota Lynx is seen before the game between the Chicago Sky and Minnesota Lynx at Wintrust Arena on Saturday, May 23 in Chicago, USA PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBRAxMEX Copyright: xShainaxBenhiyoun/SPPx Sportspressphoto_152616 ©IMAGO/Sports Press PhotoFor a team that entered the 2026 season without its franchise star, the Minnesota Lynx have surprised fans. With her contract set to expire after the end of this season, Napheesa Collier missed 27 games after undergoing her second ankle surgery on March 24. Yet the Lynx have risen to the top of the standings. Now that their star forward is back, Sue Bird has claimed that they’ve not only learned how to win without her, but have thrived.“Napheesa Collier is back. She had offseason surgery on both ankles. Made her return just before All-Star weekend,” Sue Bird said on the August 7 episode of her podcast, Bird’s Eye View.“The Lynx have already started to prove and show that they’re the team to beat. They’re a championship team. They were winning without her. So now it’s just a matter of time to find that rhythm for Phee, for the team, for Phee and Olivia [Miles].”While Napheesa Collier was sidelined, rookie Olivia Miles immediately stepped into a major role and helped the Lynx win 21 of their first 27 games. Miles, who is currently averaging 19.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists, got support from veterans Kayla McBride, Natasha Howard and Courtney Williams, who also played key roles in keeping Minnesota at the top of the standings.Get the Essentially W Newsletter. Everyday front-court analysis and back-court drama — where the W takes center court.So, with Collier back, a championship-level team has only become an even stronger version of itself. Napheesa Collier has played five games so far and has already helped Minnesota win four of them. She is averaging 18.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists as the Lynx improve to 25-7 this season.Yet there is still one question hanging over the Lynx, and that’s whether Collier will stay with the team after the season concludes.Analysts and experts had already floated block trade scenarios featuring Collier ahead of the trade deadline on August 2. However, Collier signed a one-year supermax contract with the Lynx, which has led to analysts speculating whether she’ll leave after the season.ESPN’s Alexa Philippou had touched on Collier’s expiring contract when discussing the free agency implications on Sports Center on August 1. Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Annie Costabile was even more convincing.“She signed a one-year, supermax deal for 2026 after being cored by the Lynx, and in doing so, she signaled to some degree that she’d like to explore her options in free agency.”However, after not making any major moves ahead of the trade window closing, the Lynx have their sights set on a championship, and Napheesa Collier is also focused on that same goal.“I’m so focused on, right now, wi