Friday was is a homecoming of sorts for Lynx rookie Olivia Miles.
The Summit, N.J., native will have had plenty of family and friends show up in droves to support her against the Liberty at Barclays Center.
Miles finished with 14 points, five rebounds and five assists in Minnesota’s 99-86 loss.
But she struggled with her shooting, going 5-of-16 from the field and missing all four of her 3-point tries.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve’s only consolation for her fellow New Jerseyan is that Miles’ return home went better than when Maya Moore went back to Connecticut early in her career.
Moore scored just two and three points, respectively, in each of her first games at the Connecticut Sun in 2011 and 2012.
“It wasn’t good,” Reeve recalled pregame.
“I’m really hopeful we can start a trend that this young rookie can be great when she comes back home.”
Reeve was “obviously kidding,” of course.
But Reeve really doesn’t seem to have to worry about her rookie point guard all too much these days.
Miles has drawn comparisons to four-time WNBA champion and Lynx legend Lindsay Whalen.
Miles is doing stuff rookie guards don’t typically do. There’s usually an adjustment period to the speed and physicality of the WNBA game for newcomers, especially those coming from college.
It’s impressive her consistency and ability to read the game as well as she does not even two months into her first season. She thought it would take longer for her to adjust to the speed of the pro game, but if anything, she’s the one dictating it when she’s on the floor.
Going into Friday’s game, she led She leads all rookies in scoring (18.7 points per game), assists (5.7) and efficiency (22.8). She also ranks sixth in efficiency and eighth in assists across the league. This year’s No. 2 overall pick is a clear frontrunner for Rookie of the Year.
She’s picked up two Rookie of the Month awards and was named an All-Star starter this week all while leading the Napheesa Collier-less Lynx to the league’s best record.
“I didn’t really have any expectations,” Miles said before the game. “I’m kind of surprising myself a little bit here and there.”
Miles has this quiet confidence.
She’s soft spoken and reserved. Her responses to reporters’ questions are thoughtful and sweet. She carries herself with the poise and calmness of a seasoned veteran.
She’s the epitome of cool.
But basketball brings out a different side to Miles.
When she steps on the court, her demeanor changes. She’s abrasive. Her game is vociferous. She’ll talk her trash and then follow it up with a flashy pass or tough basket.
Miles has earned the right to jab with opponents. She’s commanded the respect of those around her — whether they like her or not.
“I’ve always known who I am as a player,” Miles said. “I think I get mistaken for arrogance but I think that’s just a deep confidence that I’ve had to build and really sit with myself and find that within.”
Miles, who started her college career at Notre Dame but played last season at TCU, fortified her self-belief during her return from an ACL that sidelined her for the entire 2023-24 season. During that recovery period, Miles had to do a lot of self reflection and determine who she was on and off the court.
That work is paying dividends now.
One of the only things that sometimes makes Miles uncomfortable is having to direct her senior teammates on where to be and what to do.
“It’s really uncomfortable at times,” Miles said. “I’d rather not do it, but I know the nature of my position kind of demands that and Cheryl has given me that confidence.”
Miles has earned that confidence from Reeve with how she carries herself and plays.
“We’re fortunate that Olivia Miles was ready to go from Day 1,” Reeve said. “She wasn’t intimidated and from day one, she felt like she belonged. And she’s a big part of why we’re successful.”
