Miles Exits Early on Historic Night as Lynx Crush Valkyries
Minnesota Lynx Beat Golden State Valkyries 77-66: Olivia Miles Shines Before Ankle Scare
What Happened in the Game?
The Minnesota Lynx hosted the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday night and walked away with a 77-66 victory. The game showcased incredible offense from the Lynx’s young star, but ended with a worrying injury moment.
Important Point: While the Lynx won comfortably, the biggest storyline after the game was rookie sensation Olivia Miles limping to the locker room with a left ankle injury.
Olivia Miles’ Amazing Night (Before the Injury)
Before getting hurt, the #2 overall draft pick put on a basketball clinic. Think of it like a "greatest hits" album — all in one game!
Olivia’s Stat Line
- 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting (that’s 80% — incredibly efficient!)
- 3 three-pointers made
- 7 assists (passes that led directly to baskets)
- 5 rebounds
- 2 blocks
- 2 steals
Her Personal Highlight Reel
- End of 1st half: Sidestepped defender Veronica Burton with only two inches of space and drained a deep 3-pointer.
- 3rd quarter: Swung the ball around her waist, then threw a no-look, behind-the-back pass to Kayla McBride for a 3-pointer.
- 4th quarter: Crossed over Janelle Salaun (making her fall!), created space, and calmly knocked down a shot.
ELI5 Explanation: A "crossover" is when a player quickly switches the ball from one hand to the other to fake out their defender. A "no-look pass" means she passed without looking at her teammate — she just knew where they’d be.
What Her Teammates Said
- Kayla McBride: "She is so present, so talented and poised. She’s just a hooper. She loves the moment… I’m excited to see what she does next."
- Napheesa Collier: "That backward pass was insane. I’m in awe. I’m surprised in a good way."
- Coach Cheryl Reeve: "She has a maturity about her… recognizing what was given to her, and she was opportunistic."
The Scary Moment: Olivia’s Ankle Injury
Here’s exactly what happened, step by step:
- Mid-4th quarter: Olivia drove to the basket.
- Accidental collision: She stepped on teammate Napheesa Collier’s foot.
- Went down hard: Stayed on the floor for several minutes.
- Hobbled off: Walked to the bench under her own power (good sign!).
- Briefly left: Went to the tunnel with team medical staff.
- Returned to bench: Sat with team but did not re-enter the game.
- Post-game: Noticeable limp walking to locker room.
Important Update: Coach Reeve had no official update after the game, simply saying: "Obviously we are hoping she’s OK."
Records and Milestones Olivia Miles Hit
Even in a shortened night, Olivia rewrote the rookie record books:
Historic Achievements
- 3rd-most points by a rookie in WNBA history (696) — passed legends A’ja Wilson and Paige Bueckers
- 19.9 points per game — on pace for 3rd-highest rookie scoring average ever behind:
- Seimone Augustus (21.9 in 2006)
- A’ja Wilson (20.7 in 2018)
- Tied for 3rd-most 20-point games by a rookie
- 3rd rookie ever with multiple games of 20+ points on 80% shooting
- 6th game with 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists — ties Tamika Catchings (2002) for 2nd most by a rookie, behind only Caitlin Clark (14 in 2024)
ELI5 Context: Doing any of these as a rookie is rare. Doing all of them in your first season? That’s generational talent territory.
How the Rest of the Team Helped
Olivia didn’t do it alone — the Lynx got huge contributions across the board:
Supporting Cast
- Kayla McBride: 20 points (including crucial shots after Olivia exited)
- Napheesa Collier: 19 points and 8 rebounds
Defense Wins Championships
- 22-point lead at largest point
- Held Valkyries to season-worst half: 28 points on 24.3% shooting
- Coach Reeve: "Our passion, our intensity… our commitment to things we weren’t willing to give up… was really good."
Valkyries’ Late Run
- Golden State went on a 17-2 run spanning 3rd/4th quarters
- Cut lead to just 7 points
- McBride’s big shots after Olivia’s injury stopped the bleeding
What This Means for the Standings
| Team | Position | Games Back |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Lynx | 1st Place | — |
| Golden State Valkyries | 2nd Place | 4.5 games |
Fun Fact: The Lynx are now 9-0 against the Valkyries dating back to last season! But Collier insists: "I don’t believe we have anyone’s number."
What’s Next?
- Monday: Rematch in Minnesota — same teams, same arena
- Medical updates: Watch for Olivia Miles’ injury status
- Standings watch: Can Golden State close the 4.5-game gap?
Summary
The Minnesota Lynx dominated the Golden State Valkyries 77-66 behind a historic rookie performance from Olivia Miles (20 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, 80% shooting) before she injured her left ankle stepping on a teammate’s foot. Miles has now climbed to 3rd all-time in rookie scoring and tied multiple WNBA records. Kayla McBride (20 points) and Napheesa Collier (19 points, 8 rebounds) provided crucial support, while the Lynx defense held the Valkyries to their worst half of the season. Minnesota now leads the standings by 4.5 games, with a rematch Monday. All eyes now turn to Olivia’s injury status.
FAQ
How serious is Olivia Miles’ ankle injury?
We don’t know yet. Coach Reeve had no update post-game. She walked off under her own power and returned to the bench, which are positive signs, but she had a noticeable limp afterward. Official status will likely come before Monday’s game.
Why is Olivia Miles’ rookie season considered historic?
She’s already 3rd all-time in rookie points (696), averaging 19.9 PPG (3rd-best pace ever), with six 20/5/5 games (tied 2nd all-time). She’s joining names like A’ja Wilson, Seimone Augustus, Tamika Catchings, and Caitlin Clark in the record books — in her first season.
Did the Lynx win because of offense or defense?
Both! The offense exploded (Miles + McBride + Collier = 59 points combined), but the defense set the tone — holding a top defensive team to 28 points on 24% shooting in the first half.
What does "9-0 against the Valkyries" mean?
The Lynx have won all nine matchups between these two teams since the Valkyries joined the league last season. However, players insist this doesn’t mean they "have their number" — every game is a new challenge.
When is the next game between these teams?
Monday night in Minnesota — a quick turnaround rematch that will look very different if Olivia Miles can’t play.