Olivia Miles may not be the MVP frontrunner, but she continues to make her case as the league’s top rookie. Already leading all rookies in points and assists, Miles added another accolade to her standout season by setting a WNBA rookie record for most points scored in a first half.
The No. 2 draft pick delivered the most memorable performance of her young career Wednesday night, scoring a career-high 31 points as the Minnesota Lynx defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 99-83.
Her 24 first-half points are the most by a rookie in a half in league history. Miles shot 12 of 15 from the field, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range. She had 10 of her 11 attempts in the first half and went 2 of 2 from deep. The previous record for most points in any half by a rookie was held by Paige Bueckers, who scored 28 points last year for Dallas.
Reacting to Miles’ strong first half, Brandon Jennings on X crowned her
“Rookie of the year & MVP.”
Miles has a stranglehold on the Rookie of the Year race, averaging 18.1 points, 5.9 assists and 5.0 rebounds through 14 games this season. Those numbers are also raising her stock in the MVP conversation. Right now, A’ja Wilson is the frontrunner in the MVP race, but how the rest of the season unfolds will largely determine Miles’ final standing.
Can Olivia Miles join the rare Candace Parker company?
Olivia Miles could join a rare company in more ways than one by winning both Rookie of the Year and MVP, a feat only accomplished by Candace Parker in 2008. The 23-year-old has been a major contributor for the Lynx team that has surprised many with its ability to hang on with top teams without Napheesa Collier, who has yet to play a single game this season due to multiple injuries. Miles has stepped right in, taking the league by storm.
The Lynx are 9-1 in their last 10 games with Miles leading the way, earning a Player of the Week nod. Miles should continue to improve as the season progresses and could find herself near or atop both the rookie and MVP races. Her understanding of how to play the game the right way in every facet could make her an excellent candidate to make history.
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