Cheryl Reeve’s reaction to Olivia Miles’ first rough WNBA game says everything about the Lynx rookie originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
For most rookies, a game like Friday night would be a cause for concern. For Olivia Miles and the Minnesota Lynx, it became something else entirely. Just days after putting together one of the best performances of her young WNBA career, Miles ran into her first major roadblock as a professional against the Golden State Valkyries. The rookie guard scored a season-low seven points on 1-of-10 shooting as Minnesota battled through a difficult road test before escaping with an 81-75 victory.
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Yet after the game, Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve wasn’t focused on the missed shots. Instead, she saw an opportunity. And her message about Miles quickly revealed why Minnesota remains one of the WNBA’s most dangerous teams.
Olivia Miles finally looked human
The rookie sensation has spent much of the season making difficult things look easy. Miles entered Friday’s matchup coming off a career-high scoring performance and has consistently looked like one of the most impactful first-year players in the league. But the Valkyries made life uncomfortable from the opening tip.
Golden State threw physical defenders at her, trapped aggressively and packed the paint whenever she attacked. The result was easily her toughest offensive night as a professional. Still, when the game was hanging in the balance during the final minute, Miles found a way to contribute. She calmly knocked down two clutch free throws with 21.8 seconds remaining before blocking a potential game-tying three-point attempt on the defensive end.
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Even on a night when her shot abandoned her, she helped secure the victory.
Cheryl Reeve saw a growth opportunity
While many coaches might have spent time discussing the struggles, Reeve took a different approach.
“She needed a game like this,” Reeve told reporters afterward. “This was a tremendous growth point for her. When things don’t go your way, how do you show up?”
That’s the type of perspective that has helped turn Minnesota into a championship contender. Reeve praised Golden State’s defensive game plan while emphasizing that the Lynx have no interest in avoiding difficult moments.
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“Maybe her numbers weren’t gaudy, but the impact she still had on the game was tremendous,” Reeve said.
For Minnesota, the lesson wasn’t about scoring. It was about resilience.
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Veterans stepped up when the Lynx needed them
One reason the Lynx survived Miles’ off night was because their veteran leaders immediately answered the call. Nia Coffey scored a team-high 22 points while Courtney Williams delivered 21 points and 12 rebounds for her first 20-point double-double since 2024.
The performance highlighted one of Minnesota’s greatest strengths. Even when its rising star struggles, the roster has enough experience and depth to carry the load. Williams also made it clear that helping Miles navigate nights like these is part of her responsibility.
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“I am going to be a part of Liv’s journey for the rest of her life now,” Williams said after the win.
That’s exactly the type of veteran support every young star hopes to have.
Why this game could help Minnesota later
The Lynx know bigger challenges are coming. Playoff games won’t always feature career nights and highlight-reel performances. At some point, every contender must win ugly. Minnesota did exactly that against Golden State.
The Valkyries led by as many as 12 points and controlled much of the first half before the Lynx flipped the game after halftime. Minnesota opened the third quarter with a 12-5 run and then held Golden State to just 4-of-22 shooting in the fourth quarter.
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The comeback showcased the team’s maturity, but it also gave Miles a valuable lesson. Every rookie experiences adversity. The best players learn from it. And based on Reeve’s reaction after Friday’s win, the Lynx believe Miles just took another important step in her development, even if the box score won’t show it.
