Full Breakdown
Olivia Miles' Historic Night Propels Lynx Over Mercury
7/15/2026, 1:10:23 PM
Core Event: Record-Setting Performance in Minneapolis
On Monday night, the Minnesota Lynx defeated the Phoenix Mercury 104-100, extending their winning streak to three games and improving to 18-6, the league’s best record at the midway point of the 2026 season. Rookie guard Olivia Miles posted a career-high 33 points, eight assists and three rebounds while shooting 5-of-8 from three-point range. Teammate Kayla McBride added a season-high 37 points. The duo’s 70 combined points marked the first time in Lynx history that two players each scored 30 or more in the same game and only the fifth occurrence in WNBA history of a pair reaching 70 points in regulation.
Background & Context: Lynx Season and Playoff History
Minnesota entered the contest after a 104-100 win over the New York Liberty and a recent loss to the Mercury in the 2025 playoffs. The Lynx have been led by former MVP candidate Napheesa Collier, who is still recovering from offseason ankle surgeries and has not yet returned to the lineup. Coach Cheryl Reeve has emphasized that, despite Miles’ breakout, the team remains a collective effort anchored by Collier’s eventual return.
Key Figures
- Olivia Miles – 2024 first-overall draft pick from TCU, now the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 400 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists in just 22 games.
- Cheryl Reeve – Lynx head coach, noted for guiding the team to the league’s top standing.
- Kayla McBride – Veteran guard, provided the complementary scoring surge.
- Napheesa Collier – Former MVP candidate, expected to debut later in the season.
- DeWanna Bonner – Phoenix Mercury veteran who praised Miles’ rookie basketball IQ.
Data & Statistics
- Miles became the first WNBA player to compile 400 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists in 22 games.
- Her eight assists are the most ever recorded by a Lynx rookie in a single contest.
- The 70-point duo is the second-highest scoring output in Lynx history, trailing only the 74 points posted by Maya Moore (48) and Lindsay Whalen (26) in a 2014 overtime win.
- Both teams shot 55 % from the field; Minnesota made 24 of 26 free throws.
Why It Matters
Miles’ milestone underscores a rare blend of scoring, playmaking and rebounding for a rookie, reshaping expectations for first-year impact players. Her performance also highlights the Lynx’s offensive versatility, suggesting the team can sustain success even while awaiting Collier’s return. For the league, the achievement adds a new benchmark for rookie development and marketability.
Official Statements & Responses
Coach Reeve praised Miles’ ability to shoulder the team’s success, while cautioning against “anointing” any player before Collier is back on the court. Miles credited the crowd’s energy at the Target Center for shifting momentum in the fourth quarter. McBride emphasized the chemistry between the two guards, noting how Miles consistently finds her in the paint. Mercury veteran DeWanna Bonner lauded the rookie’s basketball IQ, calling it “unheard of.”
Criticism & Opposition
Reeve warned that the Lynx should not become overly dependent on Miles while Collier remains sidelined, suggesting the team’s long-term stability hinges on a balanced roster once the former MVP candidate returns.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The success of the team is on her shoulders and that is impressive how she's handled it.” — Cheryl Reeve, Lynx head coach
- “A PG that could really get to the paint and very diligent about finding me in spaces.” — Kayla McBride, Lynx guard
- “That's just unheard of -- the IQ she has as a rookie," DeWanna Bonner, who is in her 17th season, said about Miles.” — DeWanna Bonner, Phoenix Mercury veteran
- “I was talking to [McBride] and she was telling me we need to get the crowd involved.” — Olivia Miles, Lynx rookie
- “Regardless of the success of her young star, Reeve said it was premature to "anoint" any player with Collier sidelined.” — Cheryl Reeve, Lynx head coach
