Minnesota Lynx WNBA star Collier returns to the court docket lower than THREE MONTHS after giving start

Napheesa Collier made a formidable return to the WNBA Sunday, lower than three months after giving start to her daughter Mila in Might.

The Minnesota Lynx star, who was the 2019 WNBA Rookie of the Yr, completed with six factors in 21 minutes – after which introduced her new child into the press convention.

Collier had hinted that she wished to return to the court docket rapidly after her being pregnant, however few anticipated 10 and a half weeks to be attainable, and she or he acquired a rousing reception from the group.

Napheesa Collier returned to the WNBA Sunday, lower than three months after giving start

Collier then introduced her daughter Mila – carrying a reproduction jersey – to the press convention

‘I used to be actually excited,’ Collier stated whereas holding Mila on her lap postgame. ‘Clearly, there’s some nerves coming in, particularly this late within the season and attempting to get again right here and rush to do the whole lot. 

‘But it surely felt so good to listen to my title referred to as and have the followers cheer for me. It was a extremely good feeling. So I am actually glad I performed tonight.’  

Whereas Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve added: ‘She’s acquired to meet up with the pace of the sport and as issues are occurring, however that is most likely about as profitable as I believed it might be, taking part in most likely a bit longer than what we initially thought.’

Collier was Minnesota’s main scorer (16.2 per sport) final season, and on Sunday it was left as much as Kayla McBride to attain 20 factors and assist the Lynx use a fourth-quarter run to beat the Atlanta Dream and hold their playoff hopes alive. 

Collier celebrates together with her teammates after they beat the Atlanta Dream on the Goal Middle

Atlanta (14-19) fell right into a tie with the Phoenix Mercury for the eighth, and ultimate, playoff spot with per week remaining within the common season – a half-game forward of the New York Liberty (13-19) and a sport in entrance of Minnesota (13-20) and the Los Angeles Sparks (13-20).

The Dream missed six consecutive field-goal makes an attempt throughout a 10-0 run that gave Minnesota a 70-59 lead with 7 minutes to play after Collier transformed a three-point play and, 32 seconds later, McBride hit a 3-pointer. Maya Caldwell made a 3-pointer to snap Atlanta’s scoring drought of 3-plus minutes.

Natalie Achonwa answered with a three-point play earlier than Rachel Banham made a pull-up jumper to provide the Lynx a 75-62 lead with 5:28 remaining.

Collier thanked the group, after which introduced her daughter together with her to the press convention

Moriah Jefferson hit 4 of 5 from 3-point vary and completed with 18 factors, Banham scored 12 and Sylvia Fowles added eight factors, eight rebounds and three blocks. Fowles moved previous Brittney Griner into third in WNBA historical past with 718 profession blocks.

Aari McDonald and Rhyne Howard scored 16 factors apiece for Atlanta and Cheyenne Parker added 12 factors – all within the first half. Caldwell and Naz Hillmon every scored 10 factors.

Minnesota had 26 assists on 31 area objectives and made 12 3-pointers.