Napheesa Collier back in Twin Cities but won't be able to play for Lynx right away

She needs to sit out for COVID-19 testing, meaning her debut likely won't come until May 28 at Seattle.

May 17, 2021 at 10:48AM
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) shoots in front of Seattle Storm center Ezi Magbegor (13) during the first half of Game 3 of a WNBA basketball semifinal round playoff series Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Lynx forward Napheesa Collier shot in front of Storm center Ezi Magbegor during the WNBA playoffs last September in Florida. (Chris O'Meara, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Lynx star Napheesa Collier, her season in France having ended Saturday, arrived in the Twin Cities on Sunday.

But don't expect her to play for a bit. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said Collier would have to have six consecutive negative COVID-19 tests before being allowed to play.

Assuming that first test came Sunday, she wouldn't be eligible to return to full team activities until after a negative test Friday. That means she would miss Tuesday's game at New York and Thursday's game against Seattle at Target Center.

Following Thursday's game, the Lynx don't play again until May 28 at Seattle. That means assuming Collier tests negative for six days, she would have plenty of time to practice with the team before her season debut against the Storm.

about the writer

about the writer

Kent Youngblood

Reporter

Kent Youngblood has covered sports for the Star Tribune for more than 20 years.

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