The Minnesota Lynx secured a 100-83 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday, with rookie Olivia Miles making history by breaking the WNBA’s single-season rookie scoring record previously held by Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever.
Miles records 771st point of rookie season, surpassing Clark’s 2024 mark of 769 points. The milestone came during a dominant performance that underscored her impact on the Lynx’s playoff push. Miles finished with 22 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds in the win, continuing her strong rookie campaign.
The Lynx, the league’s top-ranked team, snapped a three-game losing streak with the victory, while the Sun fell to 18-14 in the standings. Miles’ record-breaking performance adds to her growing case for Rookie of the Year, as she currently averages 19.7 points, 6 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game this season.
Indiana Fever suffer setback in playoff race
In a separate matchup, the Indiana Fever endured a 93-77 loss to the Washington Mystics, a result that dampened their playoff aspirations. The defeat left the Fever one game behind the Atlanta Dream for the fourth seed in the postseason race. Caitlin Clark led the Fever with 25 points and 5 assists, but committed 5 turnovers as the team struggled offensively, shooting just 34.6% from the field and 0-for-7 from three-point range in the opening quarter.
Washington’s youth-heavy roster, featuring more than half its players in their first or second WNBA seasons, outplayed the Fever, who had home-court advantage. The Mystics built a 51-30 halftime lead and maintained control despite Indiana’s late push in the third quarter. The Fever now face two upcoming games against the league-leading Minnesota Lynx, adding pressure to their playoff push.
Miles’ historic season fuels MVP debate
Miles’ record-breaking performance has intensified discussions about her potential Most Valuable Player (MVP) candidacy, though she faces competition from established stars like Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson, the current MVP favorite. The Lynx, who sit atop the WNBA standings, have relied heavily on Miles’ production in the absence of star Napheesa Collier, who has been sidelined for part of the season.
The Lynx conclude their regular season with a two-game road-and-home series, setting up a potential playoff matchup. Miles’ ability to sustain her scoring output could be pivotal in Minnesota’s championship aspirations, while the Fever’s loss to Washington complicates their postseason positioning.