NFL
Olivia Miles officially made her long-awaited WNBA debut Tuesday night. While the Minnesota Lynx came up short in a close loss to the Atlanta Dream, the rookie guard showed exactly why the organization — and many around the league — believe she has star potential.
The talented rookie wasted no time making an impact. She scored her first professional basket in the second quarter after a smooth between-the-legs dribble move and explosive first step past Atlanta defender Jordin Canada for an easy finish at the rim.
One of the most noticeable aspects of Miles’ debut was how comfortable she looked on the floor. The rookie confidently ran the offense, called out sets, and showcased her high basketball IQ with creative passes through traffic. She also showed no hesitation in taking — and making — big shots throughout the game.
It wasn’t just her offensive production that stood out. Miles also made her presence felt defensively. Olivia displayed active hands, slowed players in transition, and created turnovers with her effort and anticipation.
Miles filled up the stat sheet in her 34 minutes of action, finishing with 21 points, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. She also etched her name into the history books. Miles became just the fifth player in WNBA history to record at least 20 points and 5 assists in a debut game. Miles joins an elite group that includes Hall of Famer Candace Parker.
Despite the impressive performance, Minnesota suffered a heartbreaking one-point loss. It ultimately came down to a tough “welcome to the league” moment for the rookie. With 11.2 seconds remaining, Miles attacked an open lane looking for a go-ahead layup. However, her attempt was blocked at the rim by veteran All-Star Allisha Gray.
The Lynx still had another opportunity to steal the game moments later. With five seconds remaining, the ball once again found its way into Miles’ hands. The rookie delivered a beautiful no-look pass to teammate Emese Hof underneath the basket for a potential game-winner. However, it was Angel Reese who made the final defensive stop as Atlanta completed a comeback after trailing by as many as 19 points.
Although Minnesota did not come away with the result it wanted, the performance further proved the Lynx may have found a true gem in Miles. Head coach Cheryl Reeve praised the rookie following the game, saying, “She played great, did a lot of things well… she was big time for us.”
Miles brings tremendous upside to a Lynx roster currently without star forward Napheesa Collier. Having a rookie capable of providing impactful minutes off the bench until Collier returns is a major boost for Minnesota. Miles’ presence also allows veteran guard Courtney Williams to play more naturally off the ball rather than serving as the team’s primary facilitator.
Williams finished with 14 points and 5 assists, and appeared alongside Miles during the postgame press conference. She expressed excitement about the rookie’s arrival. “So happy to have her. Happy to be back in my natural position,” Williams said. She even compared Miles to a “baby Chelsea Gray.” She offered extremely high praise for the young point guard.
Despite the loss, Olivia Miles’ debut gave fans an exciting glimpse into the future of Minnesota basketball. If Tuesday night was any indication, the rookie guard is only scratching the surface of what she can become in this league. We look forward to seeing what more the rookie will show us throughout the season.
