Olivia Miles Lights Up All-Star Rookie Stats with 33 Points

Miles and McBride Lead Lynx Past Mercury

Olivia Miles earned an All-Star starter nod after a breakout start to her rookie season, while teammate Kayla McBride was notably snubbed despite two prior selections. The pair combined for 70 points in Monday’s 104‑100 victory over the Phoenix Mercury, propelling the Lynx to a decisive rally. Their hot stretch included a fourth‑quarter surge where Miles drained three 3‑pointers in as many possessions, giving Minnesota the lead. The win also boosted the Lynx to an WNBA‑best 18‑6 record.

McBride Earns Season‑High 37 Points

Kayla McBride exploded for a season‑high 37 points, marking her fourth straight game with at least 23 points. She added 6 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 blocks and 1 assist, shooting 11 of 17 from the floor and 6 of 11 from deep. Two of her biggest buckets came in the closing minutes: a catch‑and‑shoot three off a behind‑the‑back pass from Miles and a corner three that broke a 98‑98 tie with 43.4 seconds left. McBride’s late surge secured the Lynx victory and highlighted her All‑Star caliber play.

Miles Stacks Up All‑Star Cred with 33 Points

Olivia Miles delivered 33 points, the highest total of her All‑Star rookie campaign, while also dishing out eight assists and grabbing three rebounds. Her shooting night was efficient: 10 of 16 from the field, 5 of 8 from three‑point range and 8 of 9 at the line. Miles’ deep shooting gave Minnesota the 80‑79 edge in the fourth quarter and she was instrumental in setting up McBride’s basket that extended the lead to 92‑89. Her all‑around performance reinforced her status as a rising star in the league.

Lynx Extend WNBA‑Best Record to 18‑6

With the win, the Minnesota Lynx moved to an 18‑6 mark, maintaining their position atop the WNBA standings despite playing without Napheesa Collier. Collier, last season’s MVP runner‑up, has been sidelined since undergoing offseason surgery on both ankles but has returned to practice and is expected to rejoin the lineup soon. The Lynx’s success without their star forward underscores the depth and resilience of the roster, and it sets up a compelling race as Collier’s return approaches.

Napheesa Collier’s Return Looms as Lynx Look Ahead

Collier’s absence has not dampened Minnesota’s dominance; the team continues to lead the conference while she recuperates. She has been practicing regularly and coaches have indicated she could be ready for game action in the near future. Her reintegration is likely to add another scoring and defensive option to a lineup already featuring Miles and McBride. Fans can expect the Lynx to remain a top contender once Collier’s ankles fully recover.

The Lynx’s high‑scoring performance against the Mercury showcased the rapid rise of Olivia Miles and Kayla McBride, two young players already making an imprint on the league. As the season progresses, their chemistry and Collier’s imminent return will shape Minnesota’s playoff prospects and keep the WNBA excited.