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Lynx Topple Aces, Seize WNBA-Best 26-7 Record
Minnesota Lynx Beat Las Vegas Aces 98-87: A Rookie Shines Bright
The Big Picture
The Minnesota Lynx just won a huge game against the defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces. The final score was 98-87, and with this win, the Lynx now have the best record in the whole league at 26 wins and only 7 losses.
Think of it like this: the Aces were the "kings of the hill" last year, and the Lynx just knocked them off the top spot in a head-to-head battle.
Meet the Stars of the Night
Olivia Miles — The Rookie Sensation
- 26 points total (10 of those in the final quarter!)
- Hit a crazy half-court shot at the first-quarter buzzer (imagine throwing a paper ball into a trash can from across the classroom — but way harder)
- Made big 3-pointers when the team needed them most
- Rookie means this is her first year in the pros — and she’s already playing like a veteran!
Napheesa Collier — The Steady Leader
- 22 points
- Hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the third quarter to stop an Aces comeback
- Calm under pressure, especially at the free-throw line
Natasha Howard — The All-Around Player
- 17 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists
- Rebounds = grabbing the ball after a missed shot
- Assists = passing to a teammate who then scores
- She did a little bit of everything!
For the Aces — They Fought Hard Too
| Player | Points | Extra Info |
|---|---|---|
| Jackie Young | 23 | Led all scorers for Las Vegas |
| A’ja Wilson | 16 | 8 rebounds — she’s a former MVP (Most Valuable Player) |
| Jewell Loyd | — | Got in trouble for a dangerous play (more on that below) |
How the Game Went Down — Step by Step
1⃣ First Quarter: Fireworks from the Start
- Kayla McBride (Lynx) hit four 3-pointers — that’s shots from way behind the arc, worth 3 points each
- Olivia Miles banked in a shot from past half-court as time expired
- Lynx led 28-25 after 10 minutes
2⃣ Second Quarter: Back and Forth
- Lynx went up by 6
- Aces fought back — Jackie Young hit three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt
- Game tied up, then Collier found Miles for a 3-pointer
- Halftime: Lynx 49, Aces 45
3⃣ Third Quarter: The Turning Point
This is where the game changed!
Dorka Juhasz (a reserve player — meaning she came off the bench, not a starter) made two huge plays in a row:
- Passed to Courtney Williams for a 3-pointer
- Next possession: Williams passed back to Juhasz for her own 3-pointer
Score jumped to 66-55 — Lynx up by 11!
- Aces answered with a 7-0 run (scored 7 points straight, Lynx scored 0)
- But Collier struck back with 7 straight points herself, including two 3-pointers from Miles’ passes
- Lynx stayed in control
4⃣ Fourth Quarter: Sealing the Deal
- Big moment: Jewell Loyd (Aces) committed a flagrant foul on Kayla McBride
- Flagrant foul = dangerous, unnecessary contact — like pushing someone in the air
- McBride made all 3 free throws
- Collier added 2 more free throws
- Lynx up 85-72 — game basically over
- Miles scored 10 points in this quarter alone — she refused to let the Aces come back
Important Points to Remember
- Lynx are now 26-7 — best record in the WNBA
- Olivia Miles (rookie) dropped 26 points — including 10 in the 4th quarter
- Dorka Juhasz (bench player) sparked the key run in the 3rd quarter
- Flagrant foul on Jewell Loyd swung momentum for good
- Aces’ stars (Wilson, Young) played well but didn’t get enough help
Summary
The Minnesota Lynx proved they’re the team to beat this season. Behind a star-making performance from rookie Olivia Miles (26 points), clutch shooting from Napheesa Collier, and a game-changing stretch from bench player Dorka Juhasz, the Lynx took down the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 98-87.
Miles hit a buzzer-beater from half-court, dominated the fourth quarter, and showed zero fear. The Lynx improved to 26-7 — the league’s best record — and sent a message: they’re not just contenders, they’re the team everyone’s chasing.
FAQ — Your Questions Answered
Who is Olivia Miles and why is everyone talking about her?
She’s a rookie (first-year player) who just scored 26 points against the defending champs — including 10 in the fourth quarter and a half-court buzzer-beater. That’s very rare for a newcomer!
What’s a "flagrant foul" and why did it matter?
A flagrant foul is a dangerous or excessive foul — not just normal basketball contact. Jewell Loyd recklessly ran into Kayla McBride while she was shooting. McBride got 3 free throws (usually it’s 2 or 3 for a 3-point shot), and the Lynx kept the ball. It killed the Aces’ momentum.
What does "off the bench" or "reserve" mean?
Players who don’t start the game but come in later are called reserves or bench players. Dorka Juhasz wasn’t in the starting lineup, but her energy and two big 3-point plays changed the whole game.
Why is the Lynx record (26-7) important?
Out of all 12 WNBA teams, Minnesota has won the most games and lost the fewest. That means they’ve been the most consistent team all season long.
Can the Aces still win the championship?
Absolutely. One game doesn’t decide a season. The Aces have superstars like A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young, and they’ve won titles before. But this loss shows the Lynx might be slightly better right now.
Final thought: Basketball is a game of runs, momentum, and moments. The Lynx had more of all three tonight — and a rookie named Olivia Miles who looks like she was born for the big stage.
