Minnesota Lynx rookie point guard Olivia Miles set a new WNBA rookie record on June 4, 2026, by making eight three-pointers in a single game against the Golden State Valkyries in Minneapolis.
Miles finished the historic game with 28 points, seven assists, and four rebounds.
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She connected on eight of her 11 long-range attempts, surpassing the previous rookie record of seven three-pointers.
Her shooting display also matched the Minnesota franchise record for the most three-point field goals made in a single game.
The performance led the Lynx to victory and propelled the team to an 11-3 start to the season while franchise player Napheesa Collier recovers from an ankle injury.
Rapid Adaptation
Minnesota selected Miles with the second overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft following her collegiate career at Notre Dame and TCU.
Despite a past serious knee injury, her rapid adaptation has stabilized a roster that lost key rotation players during the offseason free agency period.
Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve praised the rookie guard heavily, comparing her impact to a franchise icon.
"This is the first real point guard we've had since Lindsay Whalen," Reeve said.
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Reeve also noted that she shares late-game discussions with Miles to manage court composure. "The team needs us," she recalled.
"We're the brains behind it."
Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase acknowledged the rookie's unique playing style, calling her "mini Magic Johnson."
Lynx assistant coach and former four-time WNBA champion Lindsay Whalen discussed the evolving demands of the position. "I wasn't a great three-point shooter," Whalen said.
She explained that contemporary guards must excel across multiple scoring categories.
Whalen highlighted younger point guards like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Kiki Rice, and Leïla Lacan as players successfully filling the positional talent pool.
"The thing that's exciting is that these players can see those passes, make those plays, and they can also score," she added.
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Miles noted her preference for aggressive inside scoring during media availability in Chicago in May. "I love to live in the paint," she said.
