Olivia Miles’ Record Shooting Night Sparks Lynx Win and Cheryl Reeve Praise

The Minnesota Lynx continued their strong start to the season with an 87-84 win over the Golden State Valkyries on Thursday night at Target Center. The victory extended their winning streak to six games and improved their record to 8-2, keeping them firmly among the league’s top early contenders.

At the center of the win was rookie guard Olivia Miles, who delivered the most explosive performance of her young professional career. She poured in a career-high 28 points and set a new WNBA rookie record by knocking down eight three-pointers.

Miles’ shooting display surpassed previous marks held by Caitlin Clark and Crystal Robinson, highlighting just how rare and efficient her performance was from beyond the arc. She finished 8-of-11 from three-point range, consistently stretching Golden State’s defense throughout the night.

The Valkyries had a final chance to force overtime, but Cecilia Zandalasini’s last-second three-point attempt missed the mark, sealing Minnesota’s narrow win and closing out a memorable night for the rookie guard.

1. Reeve Sees Familiar College Spark in Miles

Following the game, Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve praised Miles’ confidence and rhythm, noting that her recent offensive surge had been building over the past few games. Reeve suggested the team had been encouraging her to embrace more shot opportunities. Once Miles saw a few shots fall early, Reeve said her confidence quickly escalated. That shift in momentum turned her into the aggressive scorer Minnesota has long believed she could become at the professional level. Reeve went as far as comparing the performance to Miles’ college explosiveness, specifically referencing a game-like rhythm she once displayed at Baylor during her NCAA career. In that outing, Miles had produced a similarly dominant shooting display. The coach’s comments reflected both admiration and recognition that Miles’ scoring instincts have translated quickly to the WNBA stage.

2. From College Star to WNBA Rookie Impact

Miles entered the league with a strong reputation built across multiple college stops, including a standout career at Notre Dame before transferring to TCU for her final season. There, she helped lead the Horned Frogs to an Elite Eight appearance while showcasing her scoring versatility. Her ability to heat up from long range has long been part of her identity as a player. Thursday’s performance served as another example of her capacity to take over games when her shot is falling. Reeve noted that Miles’ confidence mirrors moments from her college days, including a standout game in which she buried 10 three-pointers against Baylor. That level of shooting consistency is now beginning to appear at the professional level. For Minnesota, the development is especially promising as the team continues to integrate its young core with veteran talent.

3. Lynx Outlook Strengthens With Rising Core

The Lynx’s victory further solidified their position as one of the league’s early-season frontrunners. At 8-2, they remain near the top of the standings while continuing to build momentum through balanced performances and emerging individual stars. Miles’ breakout adds another dimension to a roster already showing depth on both ends of the floor. Her ability to stretch defenses creates additional space for teammates and adds versatility to Minnesota’s offensive structure. The team is also expected to become even stronger once star forward Napheesa Collier returns from injury. Her presence, combined with Miles’ emerging scoring ability, gives Minnesota one of the more promising cores in the league. As the season progresses, the Lynx will look to maintain their winning form while continuing to develop Miles into a consistent offensive threat at the professional level.