Minnesota Lynx star and WNBA MVP favorite Napheesa Collier will remain out for her team's game against the Indiana Fever on Friday night. Collier, who has not played since Aug. 2 due to a sprained right ankle, is closing in on a return. She was initially listed as questionable and went through pre-game warm-ups before being ruled out.

The Minnesota Lynx currently hold No. 1 position in the WNBA standings with an impressive 28-5 record. The Lynx hold the league's No. 1 spot in large part due to the stellar play of MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier.

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.