Lynx rookie Olivia Miles returns home with star…
Friday was is a homecoming of kinds for Lynx rookie Olivia Miles.
The Summit, N.J., native could have had a lot of household and pals show up in droves to help her against the Liberty at Barclays Center.
Miles completed with 14 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in Minnesota’s 99-86 loss.
But she struggled with her capturing, going 5-of-16 from the sector and lacking all 4 of her 3-point tries.
Olivia Miles of the Minnesota Lynx will get up a shot over Raquel Carrera of the New York Liberty during a common season matchup at Barclays Center on July 3, 2026. Michelle Farsi/New York Post
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve’s only comfort for her fellow New Jerseyan is that Miles’ return home went better than when Maya Moore went back to Connecticut early in her profession.
Moore scored just two and three factors, respectively, in each of her first video games at the Connecticut Sun in 2011 and 2012.
“It wasn’t good,” Reeve recalled pregame.
“I’m really hopeful we can start a trend that this young rookie can be great when she comes back home.”
Reeve was “obviously kidding,” of course.
But Reeve actually doesn’t appear to have to fear about her rookie level guard all an excessive amount of these days.
Miles has drawn comparisons to four-time WNBA champion and Lynx legend Lindsay Whalen.
Olivia Miles of the Minnesota Lynx dribbles against Rebekah Gardner of the New York Liberty. Michelle Farsi/New York Post
Miles is doing stuff rookie guards don’t usually do. There’s normally an adjustment period to the velocity and physicality of the WNBA recreation for newcomers, particularly those coming from school.
It’s spectacular her consistency and potential to read the sport as properly as she doesn’t even two months into her first season. She thought it could take longer for her to modify to the velocity of the professional recreation, but if something, she’s the one dictating it when she’s on the ground.
Going into Friday’s recreation, she led She leads all rookies in scoring (18.7 factors per recreation), assists (5.7) and effectivity (22.8). She also ranks sixth in effectivity and eighth in assists across the league. This 12 months’s No. 2 general choose is a clear frontrunner for Rookie of the Year.
She’s picked up two Rookie of the Month awards and was named an All-Star starter this week all while main the Napheesa Collier-less Lynx to the league’s best document.
“I didn’t really have any expectations,” Miles said before the sport. “I’m kind of surprising myself a little bit here and there.”
Miles has this quiet confidence.
Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles (5) drives against Dallas Wings ahead Jessica Shepard, proper, during the second half of a WNBA basketball recreation in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, June 28, 2026. AP Photo/LM Otero
She’s comfortable spoken and reserved. Her responses to reporters’ questions are considerate and candy. She carries herself with the poise and calmness of a seasoned veteran.
She’s the epitome of cool.
But basketball brings out a different facet to Miles.
When she steps on the court, her demeanor modifications. She’s abrasive. Her recreation is vociferous. She’ll speak her trash and then comply with it up with a flashy cross or robust basket.
Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles (5) celebrates a basket against the Washington Mystics during the second half at Target Center. Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Miles has earned the correct to jab with opponents. She’s commanded the respect of those around her — whether or not they like her or not.
“I’ve always known who I am as a player,” Miles said. “I think I get mistaken for arrogance but I think that’s just a deep confidence that I’ve had to build and really sit with myself and find that within.”
Miles, who began her school profession at Notre Dame but performed last season at TCU, fortified her self-belief during her return from an ACL that sidelined her for your complete 2023-24 season. During that recovery period, Miles had to do a lot of self reflection and decide who she was on and off the court.
That work is paying dividends now.
One of the only issues that sometimes makes Miles uncomfortable is having to direct her senior teammates on where to be and what to do.
“It’s really uncomfortable at times,” Miles said. “I’d rather not do it, but I know the nature of my position kind of demands that and Cheryl has given me that confidence.”
Miles has earned that confidence from Reeve with how she carries herself and performs.
“We’re fortunate that Olivia Miles was ready to go from Day 1,” Reeve said. “She wasn’t intimidated and from day one, she felt like she belonged. And she’s a big part of why we’re successful.”
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