By: Jennifer Portee
6/5/2026
Olivia Miles didn’t just have a big night Thursday; she made a little history while helping Minnesota keep rolling.
The rookie guard scored a career-high 28 points and knocked down eight 3-pointers, setting a new WNBA rookie record as the Lynx defeat the Golden State Valkyries 87-84. It was the kind of performance that can change the feel of a game fast, and Miles did exactly that with shot-making that kept Minnesota in control early and steady when things got tight late.
Miles was in a zone from the start. She hit five straight threes by the 6:24 mark in the second quarter, already up to 17 points while the rest of the team had 14. She kept it going into the third, opening the half with two more threes and finishing 8-for-11 from deep, breaking the previous rookie mark shared by Caitlin Clark and Crystal Robinson.
Minnesota needed every bit of it.
The Lynx trailed 75-70 with seven minutes left before putting together an 11-0 run that turned the game back in their favor. Golden State made one last push, closing to 86-84 with 33.8 seconds remaining, but Minnesota managed the final minutes just enough to hold on. Courtney Williams helped settle things down, Miles drew the attention, and the Lynx got the extra possession they needed to protect the lead.
Williams finished with 17 points, Kayla McBride added 14, and Natasha Howard turned in a strong all-around night with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Minnesota also got good balance from beyond the arc, finishing 13-for-26 from three as a team.
Golden State had its chances, too. Cecilia Zandalasini led the Valkyries with 18 points, Janelle Salaun added 17 on five 3-pointers, and Tiffany Hayes scored 15. The Valkyries stayed within striking distance until the final seconds, but a contested last shot at the buzzer came up short.
For Minnesota, the win was about more than just a close finish. It extended the Lynx’s winning streak to six and kept them perfect against Golden State all time. For Miles, it was the kind of night that turns a strong rookie start into something bigger.