Three video games into her WNBA profession, Olivia Miles has already executed one thing solely two gamers in league historical past had executed earlier than her.
In every of her first three video games for the Minnesota Lynx, Miles has scored at the least 10 factors and handed out at the least 5 assists. ESPN Insights discovered solely two gamers who opened a profession that manner: Sue Chicken and Candace Parker.
Miles is averaging 16.3 factors, 3.7 rebounds, and seven.0 assists, with simply eight turnovers throughout her first three video games. Minnesota is 2-1 regardless of lacking injured All-Star ahead Napheesa Collier.
OLIVIA MILES JOINS ELITE COMPANY 🔥
She’s the third participant in WNBA historical past with 10 factors & 5 assists in every of her first 3 profession video games, becoming a member of Candace Parker and Sue Chicken 😤 pic.twitter.com/dcP4PE7OaX
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) Might 15, 2026
Olivia Miles Does Not Play Like a Rookie
By means of three video games, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve has trusted Miles in late-game conditions, and he or she’s already benefiting from it.
„That is a participant that appears like she’s been in these moments within the WNBA for a very long time. She is assured,“ Reeve stated final week. „There is no in-between whether or not I ought to or I should not. For any participant, that is the perfect area to be in, the place your instincts are taking up and also you’re simply competing.“
After Minnesota’s win at Dallas, Reeve credited Miles with steadying the offense in a stretch when the Lynx wanted it.
„Miles was unbelievable making her reads and doing easy issues for her group,“ Reeve stated. „She gave us momentum and that jolt.“
Reeve went additional throughout coaching camp, evaluating Miles to Lindsay Whalen, the four-time WNBA champion whom Miles has had the possibility to be taught from in Minnesota.
„She’s a legend in Minnesota,“ Miles stated. „I am simply making an attempt to be a sponge for her.“
In a recreation in opposition to Phoenix, Miles traded phrases with a veteran and didn’t give floor.
„I used to be raised to by no means again down from anybody. Not petrified of a problem,“ Miles stated. „I do know who I’m, I understand how good I’m.“
Courtney Williams Has Embraced the Backcourt Change
Miles was handed the keys to the Lynx’s offense from day one. Courtney Williams has moved off the ball to let Miles run the purpose and he or she has not been quiet about how the rookie has dealt with it. Williams, in flip, has leaned into the veteran function that comes with the shift.
„She doing a hell of a job. She the captain of the ship,“ Williams stated. „For her to be a rookie coming in and doing it the best way she doing it, that lady gonna be an issue. I been saying that. For actual … I need my rooks and my youthful ones to have a look at me for example, I inform them on a regular basis, ensure you deal with your rooks the best way I deal with you.“
Miles stated the belief from the veterans round her made the transition smoother than she anticipated and traced the fast chemistry to the locker room’s make-up.
„To have vets who imagine and belief and need the perfect for you is uncommon. I simply received so fortunate with my scenario,“ Miles stated. „It is solely recreation three, and we have executed a lot collectively already, ecause we’re nice people, nice folks, no egos, We go on the market, and we would like the perfect for one another.“
Cheryl Reeve’s System Raised the Defensive Bar
Popping out of faculty, the recurring query about Miles was her protection and Reeve’s system has pressured her to handle these issues instantly.
„You will not be on the courtroom in case you’re not taking part in protection in Cheryl’s system, so she’s type of raised that degree in me,“ Miles stated. „You will not be on the market in case you’re not taking part in and competing on protection.“
Reeve has been simply as direct about ball safety on the opposite finish. Miles‘ eight turnovers throughout three video games is a quantity the workers has labored to guard and Reeve stated the margin within the WNBA is thinner than something Miles noticed in school.
„In school, there are 300-some Division I groups, so whenever you make errors, there’s not the consequence there’s whenever you play within the W,“ Reeve stated. „The margin for error is not as nice whenever you play in school.“
The message to Miles has stayed easy, even with the passing aptitude that made her a staple of faculty highlights.
„Do not search out spotlight reels,“ Reeve stated. „Simply be disciplined in the way you play, and it will occur naturally.“
Miles might have turned professional a 12 months earlier. She selected yet another school season at TCU as an alternative and the decision drew loads of doubt on the time. The response seems fairly totally different now.
Miles put up 19.6 factors, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.6 assists at TCU that season, with 1.8 steals an evening. She left school with 12 triple-doubles, a complete solely Sabrina Ionescu and Caitlin Clark have topped in NCAA historical past. By the 2026 WNBA Draft, some mock boards had her rated above No. 1 choose Azzi Fudd although she went to the Lynx instantly after.
The additional 12 months, Miles stated, was the entire thought. She credited TCU coach Mark Campbell with the event and a confidence reset, one which traces again to a stretch a couple of 12 months earlier when she had overtly admitted she was not the perfect model of herself.
„He gave me the liberty that I used to be so eager for. Actually all 12 months it was like, ‚Stay, go hoop,'“ Miles stated. „Within the league, it’s extremely straightforward to be put in a field and play small or not be you, particularly as a rookie. However I’ve realized that I’ve to go on the market and be me.“
Olivia Miles tonight 🔥
• 15 factors • 6 assists • 2 rebounds • 7/12 FG pic.twitter.com/ud9B8stewn
— Ladies’s Hoops Community (@WomensHoops_USA) Might 15, 2026
What Comes Subsequent for the Minnesota Lynx
The Lynx have began 2-1 whereas navigating accidents, together with Collier’s absence and a banged-up frontcourt. Three shut video games in, Reeve has appreciated what the schedule retains demanding of her rookie.
„Three video games, three several types of coverages,“ Reeve stated. „Her instincts are unbelievable.
The schedule doesn’t ease up from right here. On Sunday evening, Minnesota faces a Chicago group Reeve referred to as probably the greatest defensive teams the Lynx have seen this season. That matchup will put Miles again in tight, late-game possessions however she has not regarded overwhelmed by any of it.
„Clearly rather a lot to be taught,“ Miles stated. „[But] I am excited and humble and prepared to try this.“
