The Minnesota Lynx's Napheesa Collier has been tagged as probable for Wednesday's matchup with the Seattle Storm. This positions her for a return in the team's last game prior to the All-Star break.

During the offseason, Collier underwent procedures on both ankles, starting with the right on January 1 and the left in March. She was expected to miss four to six months following the initial operation. Collier resumed practicing with the team on July 1.

As a five-time All-Star selection, Collier ranked among the top candidates for MVP in the previous season until a right ankle issue in August sidelined her for three weeks. Her last appearance came after suffering tears to three ligaments in her left ankle during Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals last September.

The season concluded on a tough note for both Collier and the Lynx after an upset loss to the Phoenix Mercury prevented a return to the WNBA Finals.

The four-time All-WNBA honoree posted averages of 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.5 blocks per contest in the prior season. She joined just one other player in WNBA history by achieving 50 percent field goal shooting, 40 percent from three-point range and 90 percent from the free throw line.

These ankle problems marked her initial significant injuries. However, in 2022 she recovered from pregnancy and childbirth to join Lynx great Sylvia Fowles for one last season before retirement, stepping back onto the floor just 74 days after delivering her first child.

Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve plans to urge Collier to celebrate incremental progress during her comeback. This approach may prove challenging for a competitor who sets exceptionally high standards for herself, according to Reeve.

"She prefers not to ease back gradually," Reeve shared with ESPN this month. "Her drive contributes to her excellence and allows quicker success. She rejects any minute limits and refuses to accept anything short of top performance from herself.

This mindset defines elite athletes regardless of circumstances."

Without Collier, the Lynx have exceeded projections and hold the top spot in the standings with a 21-6 record, driven primarily by the impressive contributions from rookie Olivia Miles.