Minnesota Lynx rookie guard Olivia Miles, the runaway favorite for WNBA Rookie of the Year and an emerging MVP candidate, suffered a left ankle injury Wednesday night that could sideline her for up to two months.
The injury occurred midway through the fourth quarter of Minnesota’s 77-66 victory over the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. On a defensive possession, Miles stepped on the foot of teammate Napheesa Collier and rolled her ankle hard. She went down near the baseline, stayed on the court in visible pain for several minutes, then limped to the bench under her own power. After brief treatment in the tunnel, she returned to the bench area but did not re-enter the game.
Miles had been dominant before the setback. In 30 minutes she scored 20 points on efficient 8-of-10 shooting (including 3-of-5 from three), added seven assists, five rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Her performance helped the league-best Lynx (30-7) improve to 15-of-16 in their last stretch and maintain their grip on the top seed. Kayla McBride also scored 20, while Collier contributed 18 points and eight rebounds.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve offered no firm diagnosis afterward. “I don’t have any idea where it’s at,” she said. “Obviously we are hoping she’s OK.” Miles had rolled the same ankle in a July 15 win over the Los Angeles Sparks but returned quickly and missed no subsequent games. This latest incident appears more concerning given the pain and the timing late in a strong regular season.
At 23 years old and already averaging nearly 20 points and over six assists per game while shooting above 50 percent from the field, Miles has been the engine of Minnesota’s offense. Selected second overall in the 2026 draft out of TCU (after earlier starring at Notre Dame), she has rewritten rookie record books and elevated a star-laden roster that already includes Collier, McBride, and others.
A two-month absence would keep her out through much of the remaining regular season and potentially the early playoffs, forcing the Lynx to lean more heavily on depth pieces such as Courtney Williams, Nia Coffey, and others. Minnesota enters a stretch that includes a Friday game against the Washington Mystics and benefits from the upcoming FIBA break, which could aid recovery if the injury proves less severe than initially feared.
For a player who has transformed the Lynx into the clear class of the WNBA in her first professional season, the next MRI and official update will be closely watched league-wide. Fans and teammates alike are hoping the ankle responds well and that Miles returns sooner rather than later to continue her historic rookie campaign.
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