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Lynx Beat Aces, Clinch 2026 Playoff Spot

8/10/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Minnesota Lynx beat the Las Vegas Aces 98-87, improving to 26-7 and clinching a 2026 WNBA playoff spot.
Rookie Olivia Miles contributed 26 points on 11-of-23 shooting and recorded seven assists.
The team announced the playoff berth on social media, while the league noted that unlikely tiebreaker scenarios remain.
Minnesota holds the league’s No. 2 offensive and defensive ratings, according to WNBA.com.

History

Historical Context

Approved by the NBA Board of Governors on April 24 1996, the WNBA launched its first season on June 21 1997 with eight teams after the 1996 Olympic gold-medal run. Over three decades the league expanded to 15 teams by 2026 and secured a $75 million capital raise in 2022. The Minnesota Lynx’s 2026 playoff clinch over the Las Vegas Aces shows that early growth now fuels competitive depth.

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Story summary

The Minnesota Lynx beat the Las Vegas Aces 98-87, improving to 26-7 and clinching a 2026 WNBA playoff spot.
Rookie Olivia Miles contributed 26 points on 11-of-23 shooting and recorded seven assists.
The team announced the playoff berth on social media, while the league noted that unlikely tiebreaker scenarios remain.
Minnesota holds the league’s No. 2 offensive and defensive ratings, according to WNBA.com.

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