Courtney Williams couldn’t stop cheesing while talking about rookie Olivia Miles joining the Minnesota Lynx this season after the duo combined for 15 assists in the win over the Atlanta Dream. Miles tallied 16 points and eight assists, while shooting 6 of 10 shots.
She was the Lynx’s best with a box plus-minus of +21 in the 96-81 blowout win. Williams summed up Miles’ impact and talent in her post-game interview with USA Network’s analysts, saying:
“Man, she just got a natural feel. I’ve been saying this since I’ve seen her hoop. She just got something that you can’t teach.”
Before wrapping up her comments on Miles, Williams couldn’t help but grin about Lynx drafting the former Notre Dame and TCU star, saying:
“We’re happy that we got her.”
The Lynx couldn’t have asked for a better selection as Miles is comfortably setting herself apart from the rest of her class and already looking like a veteran. Not just that, her addition has been key to Minnesota surviving Napheesa Collier’s absence and a significant roster turnaround. The Lynx also saw Bridget Carleton, Alanna Smith, Jessica Sheppard and Natisha Heideman depart this offseason.
Despite that, the Lynx lead the WNBA with a 5-2 record after Wednesday’s outcome. Miles is averaging 15.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists. She is shooting 47.5% from the field and 90.3% from the free-throw line.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve sums up why Olivia Miles and Courtney Williams work so well together
It’s common for a veteran to feel slighted when a younger player is taking the limelight. However, that’s not the case for Courtney Williams, who is Olivia Miles’ ultimate hype person. According to Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, it’s what allows Minnesota’s starting backcourt to mesh well.
After Wednesday’s win, in which Williams and Miles had 15 of the team’s 26 assists, Reeve said:
“I don’t know, Liv is just a great player, and they recognize it … chemistry can be fragile and there is no one walking around going, ‘Olivia Miles is getting all the attention, everybody’s talking about Olivia Miles.’ Nobody cares, Liv (Olivia) notices, and she’s going, ‘Oh no, it’s for real. their actually aren’t egos on this team.'”
Reeve added:
“Courtney doesn’t have an ego, as you guys know Coruney is Livs best hype person, wants her to go go go.”
The Minnesota Lynx will remain in contention to make a deep playoff run if Miles continues to play this well in her rookie year. If Napheesa Collier returns early and is close to 100% before the postseason, the sky is the limit for this roster.
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