WNBA MVP front-runner Collier drops 32 vs. Fever in return

Napheesa Collier led all players with 32 points in the Minnesota Lynx's 97-84 victory Sunday over the Indiana Fever.

Collier returned to the starting lineup after missing the last seven games due to an ankle sprain. She was widely considered the front-runner for WNBA MVP prior to being sidelined.

Collier shot 11-of-16 from the field and 8-of-9 from the charity stripe. The UConn product also tallied nine boards, two assists, and two steals in 31 minutes of action.

"I had to knock some rust off, (but) it feels like you're on the outside when you are not playing ... it feels good to be on the court with them again," Collier told reporters postgame, according to ESPN's Kendra Andrews.

Minnesota hardly missed a beat during Collier's absence, winning five of seven games to remain atop the league standings.

Collier entered Sunday's game leading the WNBA in scoring (23.5 points per contest) and ranking in the top five in both steals (1.8) and blocks (1.6) this season. She also came in fifth in free-throw percentage (90.8%), seventh in field-goal percentage (53.7%), and 10th in rebounds (7.5).

Collier earned her fifth All-Star nod earlier this season and won All-Star Game MVP honors after scoring a record 36 points. She captured her maiden Defensive Player of the Year award last year.