Olivia Miles’ Homecoming with the Lynx
Friday marked a special day for Lynx rookie Olivia Miles as she returned to her home state. The native of Summit, N.J., likely had a crowd of family and friends cheering her on during the matchup against the Liberty at Barclays Center.
In the game, Miles managed to score 14 points, grab five rebounds, and dish out five assists, but didn’t quite find her shooting rhythm. She finished with 5 of 16 from the field and missed all four of her three-point attempts.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve found a silver lining, noting that Miles fared better than Maya Moore did upon her return to Connecticut, where Moore struggled in her early games. “It wasn’t good,” Reeve said, reflecting on that past.
Joking, Reeve expressed hope that Miles could set a strong tone and continue to develop into a great player. “I was obviously kidding,” she added shortly after, but it does seem like there’s less concern about Miles given her impressive performance so far.
Her game has drawn comparisons to Lynx legend Lindsey Whalen, which is no small feat. Typically, rookie guards take some time to adjust to the faster pace and physicality of the WNBA, especially if they’re coming from college. Yet, Miles has shown an impressive ability to read the game and adapt quickly. I figured she might need more time, but on the court, she seems to own the space.
Before Friday’s game, she led all rookies in scoring, assists, and efficiency, putting her in a solid position for the Rookie of the Year title. With two Rookie of the Month awards under her belt and an All-Star starting spot, she’s been a key player for the Lynx, even in the absence of Nafeesa Collier.
“I had no expectations at all,” Miles admitted before the game. “I’m surprising myself a little bit here and there.”
She comes across as quiet and thoughtful, handling questions from reporters with grace that suggests a maturity beyond her years. Yet, once she steps onto the court, her demeanor shifts. It’s almost like a transformation—louder, more aggressive, with a mix of trash talk and flashy playmaking.
On the court, she has certainly earned respect. “I always knew who I was as a player,” she explained. “People might see that as arrogance, but I’ve built a deep confidence and really had to look within myself.”
Previously, Miles began her collegiate journey at Notre Dame and later played at TCU, where she grew in confidence following a long recovery from an ACL injury that kept her sidelined for the entire 2023-24 season. That challenging period was a time for much self-reflection.
Now, her hard work is showing results. Yet, there are still moments of discomfort. Sometimes, she feels uneasy about directing her older teammates on the court. “It gets really uncomfortable sometimes,” she admitted. “I’d rather not, but I know my position requires it. Cheryl has given me that confidence.”
Miles has certainly earned the trust of Reeve, both through her demeanor and her play. “We were lucky that Olivia Miles was ready from day one,” Reeve shared. “She’s never intimidated and has always felt like she belongs. She’s a big part of our success.”
