The WNBA's 2026 No. 2 overall draft pick, Olivia Miles, has already attracted a lot of attention during her short stay with the Minnesota Lynx. Moreover, she already has a big fan in the team's star player, Napheesa Collier.

In an X update from Timberwolves beat writer Andrew Dukowitz on May 3, Collier addressed how excited she was to play with the rookie, who has already shown great progress under coach Cheryl Reeve.

"I’m super excited. Liv’s court vision and her passing ability is amazing. I’ve never played with a player like that before. So it’s been fun to watch her, like even get better in the past couple weeks going under Cheryl's systems and learning how we play. That's been really fun. So I’m excited to kinda get out there and reap the benefits of it," Collier said.

Apart from playmaking, Miles has showcased her scoring talents in the Lynx's preseason. In their final game before the new season, Miles recorded 13 points, six rebounds, and two assists on 5-of-13 shooting in 28 minutes against the expansion team Toronto Tempo.

Before that, she had an impressive overall display against Nigeria, finishing with 11 points, five assists, and five rebounds in 19 minutes.

"I think I'm in this position for a reason. Obviously, (Coach Reeve) sees something in me and believes in me. She would not have me out there if she didn't think I could do it. So, yeah, it's a privilege," Miles said, per ESPN. "You have to look at it through a positive lens, or else I'll stress myself out."

The Minnesota Lynx lost key contributors like co-DPOY Alanna Smith and Natisha Hiedeman last season, so the 23-year-old will have to serve as one of the cornerstones Reeve can rely on.

Unfortunately, the Lynx will delay the true start of their season until Napheesa Collier returns from her ankle injury, which will sideline her through May.

What is the Expected Timeline for Napheesa Collier's Return to the Court?

Following ankle surgery in January, Collier is still rehabilitating from the knock sustained in Game 3 of last season's playoffs against the eventual finalists, the Phoenix Mercury.

Even though she is likely to miss the first few games of the new season, the 29-year-old was one of the first players in the league to receive a supermax contract, signing a one-year, $1.4 million deal with the Lynx.

Following her renewal, ESPN's Alexa Philippou gave an update regarding her possible return date to the court.

"Napheesa Collier is expected to return to on-court basketball activities in early June, the Minnesota Lynx announced. She underwent surgery on her left ankle on March 24 after having surgery on her right ankle in early January," Philippou reported on X.

Collier will be coming off another impressive campaign, averaging a career-high 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.5 blocks. She was a runner-up for MVP and was once again named to the All-WNBA First Team and All-Defensive First Team.

To reach the WNBA Finals again, it is a necessity for the Lynx to have a healthy Collier at their disposal. But for now, they will have to face Angel Reese's Atlanta Dream on May 10 without her talents.

Do you believe Napheesa Collier and Olivia Miles can propel the Lynx's chances for a championship?

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Yask Kotak