If Olivia Miles’ ball game didn’t do enough talking, the Minnesota Lynx rookie now has officially surpassed WNBA stars A’Ja Wilson and Paige Bueckers’ rookie-year stat lines.

“(Miles) passed A'Ja Wilson and Paige Bueckers for 3rd-most points by a rookie in WNBA history, recorded her 18th 20-point game, tied for 3rd-most by a rookie in W history,” ESPN’s Kendra Andrews took it to X on August 20, 2026.

In the Lynx’s recent 77-66 win over the Golden State Valkyries, Miles closed the night with 20 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Her 696 points in 35 games exceed Wilson's 682-point rookie year (2018, 33 games) and Bueckers' 692 (2025, 36 games).

At 19.9 PPG, Miles trails only Seimone Augustus (21.9 in 2006) and Wilson (20.7 in 2018), noted Andrews. The 23-year-old surpasses both Bueckers (19.2) and Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark (19.2) in this regard. And there’s more.

“6th game with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, which ties '02 Tamika Catchings for the 2nd most by a rookie,” Andrews added to the same post. “3rd rookie in WNBA history to have multiple games with 20 points on 80% FG shooting.”

And all of these only amplified what the Lynx coach had said about Miles.

HC Cheryl Reeve Praises Olivia Miles' Maturity

With a 30-7 league-best record, the Lynx are off to a first-ticket playoff berth and a divisional title. But despite the star-studded roster, the Lynx dynasty would’ve been incomplete without Miles’ mature play. And Reeve knew it.

“She has a maturity about her," Reeve said, per another ESPN report by Andrews, published on August 20, 2026. “She has a natural maturity for the position that she plays, recognizing what was being given to her. And she was opportunistic."

Miles has come off an ankle injury in the game against the Valkyries. However, Reeve has called it a “tweak”. It’ll be a matter of time before the rookie makes it back to the paint and goes for even bigger records.

Do you think Miles is getting the Rookie of the Year this season? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Deblina Roy