The Minnesota Lynx’s playoff hopes took a stunning and ugly turn Tuesday night when Rookie of the Year winner Olivia Miles was ejected in the second quarter of Game 2 after spitting on New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart.
With the Lynx trailing and already showing signs of unraveling, Miles and Stewart tangled near the free-throw line. After a hard foul and some heated words, Miles turned and spat in Stewart’s direction. Officials immediately reviewed the incident, ejected Miles, and assessed a flagrant foul. Stewart reacted with visible disgust while Liberty teammates and coaches erupted on the sideline.
The ejection came amid mounting frustration for the Lynx, who have struggled to contain New York’s star-powered attack. Minnesota entered Game 2 looking to even the series after a tough Game 1 loss, but early foul trouble, turnovers, and defensive breakdowns left the home crowd restless. Miles, the dynamic rookie who captivated the league with her playmaking and scoring all season, had been one of the few bright spots before the incident.
“Frustration got the better of her,” one Lynx player said afterward, declining to be named. “We’ve been fighting uphill. It shouldn’t have gone there.”
Stewart, a multi-time champion and MVP candidate, called the act “disrespectful and unnecessary” in a brief postgame comment. Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said the team would focus on the basketball rather than the controversy.
Miles left the floor without speaking to reporters. The Lynx, already short-handed and now without their prized rookie for the remainder of the contest, struggled to regain composure. The ejection shifted momentum firmly to New York and amplified questions about Minnesota’s ability to stay composed under playoff pressure.
As the series continues, the incident will likely draw league scrutiny and further scrutiny of the Lynx’s emotional control. For a team that has relied heavily on Miles’ energy and production, the cost of one moment of lost composure could prove steep.
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