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Lynx re-sign 5-time All-Star forward Napheesa Collier

Sport

Lynx re-sign 5-time All-Star forward Napheesa Collier
Sport

Sport

Lynx re-sign 5-time All-Star forward Napheesa Collier

2026-04-17 12:10 Last Updated At:12:40

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Lynx re-signed five-time All-Star forward Napheesa Collier, who's coming off one of the most productive seasons in WNBA history.

The team announced Thursday night it was bringing back Collier, but didn't disclose terms of the deal.

ESPN reported, citing sources, that the Lynx signed Collier to a one-year, $1.4 million supermax contract. The deal came a day after the WNBA defending champion Las Vegas Aces re-signed four-time MVP A’ja Wilson. ESPN reported that contract was a three-year, $5 million supermax deal, the most lucrative in league history.

The 29-year-old Collier averaged a career-high 22.9 points per game last season while shooting 53.1% from the floor, 40.3% from 3-point range and 90.6% from the foul line, becoming the first player in WNBA history to post 50/40/90 shooting splits while averaging 20 or more points per game. She finished second to Wilson in league MVP voting the last two years.

“Phee has been such an integral part of the Lynx since she was drafted in 2019," head coach and president of basketball operations Cheryl Reeve said in a statement released by the team. “Coming off a historic 50/40/90 season and guiding the Lynx to the most wins in franchise history, Phee is hungry to position the Lynx for a championship run in 2026.”

Minnesota went 34–10 in the regular season and was the No. 1 overall seed in the WNBA playoffs. But Collier injured her left ankle in Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals against Phoenix, ending her season. The Lynx lost the series to the Mercury in five games.

Collier, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and four-time All-WNBA and All-Defensive Team selection, was the sixth overall draft pick by the Lynx in 2019 out of UConn and won the league's Rookie of the Year award. She has career averages of 18.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.2 blocks per game in seven seasons. Collier ranks second in franchise history in career steals (325) and scoring average (18.4), behind Maya Moore, and second in blocked shots (239) behind Sylvia Fowles.

Last season, Collier set the franchise record with 54 consecutive made free throws and was selected the WNBA All-Star Game MVP after setting the scoring mark with 36 points.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

FILE - Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier moves the ball during the first half of Game 2 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs against the Golden State Valkyries, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File)

FILE - Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier moves the ball during the first half of Game 2 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs against the Golden State Valkyries, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File)

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Connor McDavid had four assists to take the NHL scoring title with 138 points and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Vancouver Canucks 6-1 on Thursday night to finish second in the Pacific Division and open the playoffs at home.

Edmonton will host Anaheim on Monday night in Game 1. The Oilers were 7-2-2 in their last 11 to finish 41-30-12, while Vancouver was last in the NHL at 25-49-8.

McDavid won his sixth Art Ross title as the NHL scoring leader to tie Mario Lemieux and Gordie Howe for second — four behind Wayne Gretzky. McDavid reached 1,220 career points, passing Jeremy Roenick, Larry Murphy and Jean Beliveau to advance to 47th on the NHL list. McDavid entered the season 71st.

Rookie Matthew Savoie had his first hat trick, Josh Samanski, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Colton Dach also scored and Evan Bouchard had three assists. Connor Ingram made 11 saves, allowing only Ty Mueller's first career goal.

Edmonton was buoyed by the return of forward Zach Hyman and is expecting star forward Leon Draisaitl back during the opening series.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Vancouver Canucks' Teddy Blueger (53) screens Edmonton Oilers goalie Connor Ingram (39) as he makes the save and Jake Walman (96) defends during the third period of an NHL game, in Edmonton, Thursday, April 16, 2026. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Canucks' Teddy Blueger (53) screens Edmonton Oilers goalie Connor Ingram (39) as he makes the save and Jake Walman (96) defends during the third period of an NHL game, in Edmonton, Thursday, April 16, 2026. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) reacts to getting hit in the face with a stick against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period of an NHL game, in Edmonton, Thursday April 16, 2026. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) reacts to getting hit in the face with a stick against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period of an NHL game, in Edmonton, Thursday April 16, 2026. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen (32) makes a save against Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) during second-period NHL hockey game action in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday April 16, 2026. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen (32) makes a save against Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) during second-period NHL hockey game action in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday April 16, 2026. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

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