Napheesa Collier made a triumphant season debut Wednesday, posting 24 points and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes as the Minnesota Lynx defeated the Seattle Storm 86-76. Returning from offseason surgeries on both ankles, the five-time All-Star became the fourth Lynx player to score 20+ in a season opener and the second with a 20-point double-double, joining Sylvia Fowles (2017).

"I felt like a kid in a candy store," Collier said. "I couldn't wait to get on the court." She started slowly at 1-of-7 but found rhythm in the second quarter, going 4-of-5 for 11 points. Coach Cheryl Reeve had tempered expectations, calling this just "the next box to check" in Collier's evolution back to full form.

The Lynx enter the All-Star break atop the WNBA at 22-6, fueled by rookie Olivia Miles and veteran Kayla McBride, who notched her eighth straight 20-point game. "For us to be in the No. 1 slot, you can never count us out," Collier said. Minnesota plays next Tuesday, giving Collier five days to recover.