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Lynx Topple Champion Aces, Seize WNBA-Best 26-7 Record
Minnesota Lynx Beat Las Vegas Aces 98-87: A Fun Game Recap for New Fans
What Happened in This Game?
The Minnesota Lynx played the Las Vegas Aces in an exciting WNBA basketball game. The Lynx won 98 to 87. Think of it like a race where Minnesota stayed ahead most of the time and crossed the finish line first!
Important Point: The Lynx now have the best record in the whole league at 26 wins and only 7 losses. That’s like getting an A+ on almost every test!
Who Were the Star Players?
Minnesota Lynx (The Winners)
| Player | What They Did | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Olivia Miles | Scored 26 points | She’s a rookie (first-year player) and had an amazing game! |
| Napheesa Collier | Scored 22 points | The team captain stepped up when it mattered most |
| Natasha Howard | 17 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists | She did a little bit of everything — scoring, grabbing missed shots, and passing to teammates |
| Kayla McBride | 4 three-pointers in the 1st quarter | Started the game on fire! |
| Dorka Juhasz | Made two big plays in a row in the 3rd quarter | Came off the bench (started as a substitute) and changed the game |
Las Vegas Aces (The Other Team)
| Player | What They Did |
|---|---|
| Jackie Young | Led her team with 23 points |
| A’ja Wilson | Had 16 points and 8 rebounds |
| Jewell Loyd | Got in trouble for a flagrant foul (more on this below!) |
How the Game Went Down: Step by Step
1⃣ First Quarter: Fireworks from the Start!
- Kayla McBride made four 3-pointers (shots from far away worth 3 points each)
- Olivia Miles hit a CRAZY shot at the buzzer (when time ran out) from past half-court!
- Score after 10 minutes: Lynx 28, Aces 25
2⃣ Second Quarter: Back and Forth
- Lynx went ahead by 6 points
- Jackie Young made three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point shot
- Teams traded points — Aces got within 1 point!
- Collier passed to Miles for a 3-pointer → Lynx lead 49-45 at halftime
3⃣ Third Quarter: The Bench Player Shines
- Dorka Juhasz (a substitute) made two huge plays in a row:
- Passed to Courtney Williams for a 3-pointer
- Next time down the court, Williams passed back to Juhasz for her own 3-pointer!
- Score became 66-55 Lynx (11-point lead!)
- Aces scored 7 straight points to fight back
- Collier answered with 7 straight points herself, including two 3-pointers from Miles’ passes
4⃣ Fourth Quarter: Sealing the Deal
- Flagrant foul alert! Jewell Loyd made a dangerous play on Kayla McBride
- McBride made all 3 free throws
- Collier added 2 more free throws
- Lynx lead grew to 85-72
- Olivia Miles scored 10 points in just this quarter!
- Final score: Lynx 98, Aces 87
Key Moments That Decided the Game
Important Point: Olivia Miles is a rookie (brand new to the league) but played like a superstar! She scored 26 total points and 10 in the 4th quarter alone when the team needed her most.
Important Point: Dorka Juhasz didn’t start the game but came off the bench and made back-to-back winning plays. This shows every player on the team matters!
Important Point: The Lynx shared the ball beautifully. On Collier’s two big 3-pointers, Miles passed to her both times. Teamwork wins games!
Summary
The Minnesota Lynx beat the Las Vegas Aces 98-87 behind a spectacular game from rookie Olivia Miles (26 points) and veteran leader Napheesa Collier (22 points). The Lynx got contributions from everyone — starters and substitutes alike — and now own the league’s best record at 26-7. Key moments included a half-court buzzer-beater, a bench player’s back-to-back clutch plays, and a dominant 4th quarter. The Aces fought hard with Jackie Young (23 points) and A’ja Wilson (16 points), but couldn’t overcome Minnesota’s balanced attack.
FAQ: Questions You Might Have
What is a "rookie" in basketball?
A rookie is a player in their very first season in the professional league. Olivia Miles just started playing in the WNBA this year!
What’s a "3-pointer" and why is it special?
A 3-pointer is a shot made from behind the curved line on the court (about 22 feet from the basket). It’s worth 3 points instead of 2, so it helps teams score faster and catch up or pull ahead quickly.
What does "off the bench" or "reserve" mean?
Players who don’t start the game sit on the bench (the seats on the side). When they come in to play, they’re called reserves or bench players. Dorka Juhasz was a reserve who made huge plays!
What is a "flagrant foul"?
A flagrant foul is a dangerous or reckless play that could hurt someone. It’s more serious than a regular foul. The other team gets free throws AND keeps the ball. Jewell Loyd got called for one on a risky jump-shot defense.
What are "rebounds" and "assists"?
- Rebound: Grabbing the ball after a missed shot. Like catching a ball that bounces off the rim.
- Assist: Passing the ball to a teammate who immediately scores. It’s getting credit for setting up the basket!
Enjoyed this recap? The Lynx play again soon — keep an eye out for more rookie magic from Olivia Miles!
