Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve faced a difficult decision Tuesday night, and it showed on the court. Rookie sensation Olivia Miles, the All-Star point guard and Rookie of the Year frontrunner averaging nearly 20 points and six assists, was a late scratch with a left calf injury. Without her, the Lynx fell 96-77 to the Indiana Fever in a game that left Minnesota’s playoff seeding hanging in the balance — at least for a few hours.
Miles had wanted to play. Reeve said the calf issue had “popped up” and nearly kept the No. 2 overall pick out of Sunday’s game against Connecticut. “We just simply can’t take a chance,” Reeve explained after the loss, noting the team would reevaluate the injury before Thursday’s regular-season finale rematch at Target Center. Miles left the arena with ice on her lower leg, a visual reminder of the caution that defined the night.
The absence was glaring. Caitlin Clark poured in 27 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for Indiana, while Kelsey Mitchell added 20. The Fever shot over 50 percent in the first half and built a 29-point lead. Reeve emptied her bench early, resting starters for the final 25 minutes rather than risk further injuries in a lost cause. Chloe Bibby hit five threes for 15 points off the Minnesota bench, but the Lynx never recovered.
The loss was “embarrassing,” in Reeve’s estimation, yet the night ended with a silver lining. Portland’s victory later clinched the No. 1 seed for Minnesota regardless. Still, the message was clear: Miles’ presence has been transformative this season. Without the generational playmaker who has rewritten rookie record books, the Lynx looked ordinary against a motivated Fever side fighting for playoff positioning.
As the postseason approaches, Reeve’s priority remains clear — protecting her star for the games that matter most. Thursday’s rematch will test whether Miles can return and whether Minnesota can rediscover the edge that made them the league’s top team for most of 2026.
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