Napheesa Collier is to going to make her 2022 debut after giving birth to her firrst child.

Napheesa Collier, who was named an All-Star in 2020, averaged 19.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game last season. She will come off the bench Sunday against the Atlanta Dreams. “I’m just really excited to be back out there on the court with my teammates,” Collier said. “It’s been a long few months, so I’m just ready to play again.”

Collier is the second All-Star in as many years to return from maternity leave, joining Candace Parker of the Los Angeles Sparks. Parker missed the first month of the season before returning in June.

Napheesa is currently averaging 15.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game in her third season with the Lynx. “I’m definitely planning on coming back,” Collier said of playing in 2022. “I want to play with Syl one more year. I don’t think we’ve played our best basketball together yet.”

Collier gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Londyn, in September 2020. She said motherhood has been “amazing” and that she’s enjoyed being able to spend more time with her family. “I’m really looking forward to next season,” Collier said. “I think we have a lot of potential and I’m excited to see what we can do.”

The Lynx are currently 12-12 on the season and sit in sixth place in the WNBA standings. The Lynx are currently on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, but that could all change with a strong finish to the season. And it looks like they’ll have one of their key players back for the stretch run.

Collier’s return will be a big boost for the Lynx as they try to make a push for the playoffs. With four games left in the regular season, they’re currently 11th in the WNBA standings with a 13-15 record. The top eight teams in the standings will make the playoffs.

The Lynx have a tough road ahead, with three of their final four games coming against teams that are above them in the standings. But if they can get Collier back and playing at a high level, they’ll have a good chance to make some noise in the postseason.