Lynx’s Olivia Miles keeps pulling out new tricks in legendary rookie season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Olivia Miles may not have been the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. She had to settle for being the second pick, after Azzi Fudd.
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But it’s more and more clear each day that Miles is the truth. Her draft slot will be an ironic footnote as her career goes forward. She’s already the truth.
Miles showed it at the All-Star Game, and again in her first game back from the break, that she’s already one of the best players in the WNBA.
She’s going to run away with Rookie of the Year, and she’s in the MVP conversation.
On Tuesday night, the Lynx were back from the break, and they won 100-93 over the Toronto Tempo.
Miles had a ho-hum 24 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. She shot 9-for-17 from the floor, including 4-for-5 from 3-point range, and made both her foul shots.
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She also did this:
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There have been WNBA players with some of the skills Miles has, but the entire package put together like her has never quite been a part of the league before.
She has a chance to be one of the sport’s transcendent players.
Sure, it’s early to talk about a player like that, but there’s nothing fluky about this.
Every night, Miles looks like the best player on the floor. She can do pretty much every single thing possible on the basketball floor.
She’s got a good mindset, solid leadership skills, an ability to make her teammates better — and an incredible amount of basketball talent.
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Her highlight on Tuesday was just a smooth pass between her legs to Kayla McBride behind her. It was just one moment.
But all these moments, added up, point to a generational ceiling for Miles. She’s got a chance to be a WNBA legend.
