Napheesa Collier’s story absolutely defined the Minnesota Lynx’s 2026 WNBA season, even with the team clocking an early and underwhelming playoff exit. Honestly, it’s wild to look back at how everything unfolded, and it all comes back to Phee: her absence, her presence, and what everyone’s now wondering about her future. Forget the WNBA Finals everyone expected, because this season was a masterclass in “what if.”
Olivia Miles Blew Up, and Coach Reeve Is a Legend
So, Phee was sidelined, right? Double-ankle surgery from the offseason meant her debut was pushed all the way to July 22, and she only played 16 regular-season games. But hold up, because this is where Olivia Miles, the No. 2 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, came out swinging. This kid was an instant sensation, a splashy, spectacular point guard who defied all expectations. She shattered records, cruised to Rookie of the Year honors, and straight-up helped the Lynx land the best record in the league. We’re talking ridiculous numbers, like one game where she dropped a career-high 33 points, with 16 of those in the fourth quarter, plus 8 assists, 5 three-pointers, and 3 rebounds, shooting 10/16 from the field. Just unreal stuff.
And you gotta give massive props to head coach Cheryl Reeve. She worked pure magic with the Phee-less Lynx. Not only did she guide Miles’ insane ascendance, but she also squeezed every last drop out of the veteran core. Reeve didn’t just secure her record-extending fifth Coach of the Year award, she also became the WNBA’s all-time winningest coach! Oh, and she was named the 2026 WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year for a record-tying third time, mostly because she nailed that No. 2 pick with Miles. She built a roster where it was “No Phee, no problem” for the first half of the season. Yeah, Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard dipped in free agency, but Reeve kept Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams, brought back a “better-than-ever” Natasha Howard, and found Nia Coffey Brodie as the perfect Phee fill-in. Seriously, things were going so well that people were actually worried about how Collier’s return would mess with the league-best Lynx. That’s like, the ultimate first-world problem, right?
The Phee Problem: A One-Year Deal and Whispers of Departure
All that success without Phee, though? It sparked some early chatter about Collier’s future in Minnesota, even if most of it sounded like opposing fanbases trying to stir up drama. But you can’t ignore the fact that Collier signed a one-year deal last offseason. And then there were her comments that, yeah, you could totally interpret as her hinting at a future outside of Minnesota. When asked about her one-year deal versus a three-year, Phee said, “I’m so focused on right now with my injury and this year winning a championship… so I’m just focused on this year and winning.” While that sounds locked in for the present, it left a huge question mark hanging over the Lynx after their early playoff exit. So, despite Miles’ incredible season and Reeve’s historic coaching, the biggest takeaway from 2026 for the Lynx remains squarely on what’s next for Napheesa Collier. Big questions loom for Minnesota, and you know everyone’s gonna be glued to see how this plays out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Swish Appeal.
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