Miles' Historic Rookie Triple
Olivia Miles Breaks WNBA Rookie Record with Eight 3-Pointers in Lynx Victory
Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles made WNBA history on June 4, draining eight three-pointers in an 87-84 win over the Golden State Valkyries at Target Center. Miles shot 8-of-11 from beyond the arc, scored a career-high 28 points, added seven assists, and blocked three shots — all in one night. The previous rookie record of seven was shared by Caitlin Clark and Crystal Robinson, according to Associated Press.
The win stretched Minnesota's winning streak to six straight games. The Lynx now sit at 8-2, the best record in the league, according to AM 1100 The Flag.
From 11% Shooting to Record-Breaking Night
The eight-three-pointer performance was stunning for another reason. Miles had been struggling badly from distance before this game. She entered the night shooting just 11.1% from three-point range — 2-for-18 on the season — according to Sports Illustrated. Then she went 8-for-11 in a single game.
Miles was already dangerous early. By the 6:24 mark of the second quarter, she had hit her fifth three-pointer and scored 17 points — more than all her teammates combined at that moment, according to Associated Press. The Lynx shot 13-of-26 from three-point range as a team, good for 50%.
Lynx Survive a Late Valkyries Comeback Attempt
Minnesota was not in full control all night. Golden State led 75-70 with just over seven minutes left. The Lynx then went on an 11-0 scoring run, with Miles hitting a key three during that stretch, according to Field Level Media.
The finish was tense. Courtney Williams made 1-of-2 free throws with 5.4 seconds left, giving Minnesota the 87-84 edge. An inadvertent whistle controversy gave Golden State a jump ball, but Cecilia Zandalasini's buzzer-beater attempt missed the rim. Game over. Williams finished with 17 points, including nine in the fourth quarter.
Reeve Calls Miles the Lynx's First Real Point Guard in a Decade
Head coach Cheryl Reeve has leaned heavily on Miles since star center Napheesa Collier went down with an ankle injury in March. Reeve did not hesitate with the praise. "She's the first real point guard we've had since Lindsay Whalen," Reeve said, according to Associated Press. Collier is expected to return to workouts this month.
Miles was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft out of TCU. She won Kia WNBA Rookie of the Month for May, leading all first-year players in scoring (15.4 points per game), assists (5.9 per game), and efficiency rating (20.0). Former WNBA All-Star Swin Cash compared Miles' career night to the impact of legend Maya Moore, according to HerSportsNation.
Valkyries' Billion-Dollar Brand Faces Its Toughest Test Yet
The loss stings for a Valkyries franchise that has become the most valuable team in women's sports. Golden State is valued at up to $1 billion and generated $78 million in revenue in their first season, according to CNBC Sports. They have sold out every home game across two seasons, with ticket prices sometimes beating the Golden State Warriors.
The defeat also matters in the Commissioner's Cup standings. Minnesota moves to 2-0 in the tournament. The Cup final, which carries a $500,000 prize pool, is set for June 30, according to WNBA.com. Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase, the 2025 AP Coach of the Year, will need answers before then.
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