Entering Friday's game against the Indiana Fever, the Lynx have a 5.5-game cushion over the Dream for the league's best record. Collier, still the league's top scorer at 23.5 points per game, told Bird that she wishes she was back on the court -- but she thinks everything, including the ankle sprain, happens for a reason.

The Minnesota Lynx (28-7) lost for just the seventh time this season Thursday in Atlanta, though the 75-73 defeat was their second straight this week. After a 10-point loss in New York on Tuesday, the Lynx traveled across the country to play the Dream, who at 23-13 after the win have the second-best record in the WNBA.

Napheesa Collier's availability is one of the key talking points ahead of Friday's clash between the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx.