Olivia Miles Shines as Lynx Defeat Valkyries in Commissioner’s Cup Clash

In a thrilling Commissioner’s Cup showdown at Target Center, rookie point guard Olivia Miles delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a personal best of 28 points, including eight three-pointers out of eleven attempts. The Lynx edged past the Golden State Valkyries with a final score of 87-84 on Thursday night.

Prior to this game, Miles had struggled from beyond the arc, making only 2 of 18 attempts. However, she found her rhythm against the Valkyries, emerging as the game’s leading scorer in a matchup featuring two of the top contenders in the WNBA’s Western Conference. With this victory, the Lynx secured an impressive 8-2 record, maintaining the best performance in the league, while the Valkyries fell to 6-4, trailing by two games.

Both teams, known for their defensive prowess, showcased nearly identical shooting percentages, with the Lynx at 39.7 and the Valkyries at 39.5. However, Minnesota's strong three-point shooting, hitting a season-high 13 threes, along with their ability to draw fouls—converting 19 free throws compared to Golden State’s 10—proved crucial in clinching the win.

In addition to Miles’ stellar play, Natasha Howard contributed a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while teammates Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride added 17 and 14 points, respectively. For the Valkyries, Cecilia Zandalasini, a former Lynx player, led her team with 18 points.

With this victory, the Lynx improved to 2-0 in Commissioner’s Cup competition. They will next face the Seattle team in a noon game on Saturday.