Olivia Miles poured in a WNBA rookie-record 24 points in the first half, finishing with a career-high 31, as the Minnesota Lynx defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 99-83 on Wednesday night.
LOS ANGELES — Olivia Miles didn’t wait for the game to settle. She attacked from the opening stretch and kept doing it, turning one first half into a statement.
On Wednesday night, the Minnesota Lynx rookie set a WNBA rookie record with 24 first-half points on her way to a career-high 31 as Minnesota beat the Los Angeles Sparks 99-83. Miles, the No. 2 overall pick, went 12 of 15 from the field.
The numbers were loud, but so was the momentum. A mid-range jumper from Courtney Williams put Minnesota ahead for good, and a three-pointer shortly after pushed the Lynx to a 23-19 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Miles’ scoring carried into the finish, and the Lynx delivered with the kind of rhythm that has defined their stretch. Minnesota (12-3) has won 10 of its last 11 games.
Natasha Howard added 15 points and nine rebounds for the Lynx, Kayla McBride scored 14 points, and Williams had 13 points and five assists. Nia Coffey had a career-high five steals as Minnesota turned its defense into offense.
For Los Angeles, Rae Burrell led the way with 19 points. Rookie Jihyun Park, who entered the game with six points this season, scored 13. Dearica Hamby contributed 12 points and nine rebounds, while Nneka Ogwumike had 10 points and eight rebounds.
The night carried a notable absence: Los Angeles star Kelsey Plum, who averages 25 points, did not play due to a leg injury.
The win closed one chapter of the week for both teams. The Lynx are back on the road at Golden State on Friday, and the Sparks host New York on Sunday.
WNBA Minnesota Lynx Los Angeles Sparks Olivia Miles Kelsey Plum Courtney Williams Natasha Howard Kayla McBride Jihyun Park Dearica Hamby Nneka Ogwumike
31 is cool but can she do it when Plum actually plays? Kinda feels like an asterisk.
I saw that it was 99-83 and was like wow that’s not even close… then 24 in the first half?? That’s insane. Lynx momentum sounds like a buzzword but okay.
No wait, I thought the rookie record was like 30 already? Maybe it’s rookie record for Lynx not WNBA? Either way 12 of 15 is ridiculous. Also Kelsey Plum being out explains everything, so I’m not even mad.
Does 24 first-half points mean she just stopped after? Like her “finishing with 31” makes it sound only like 7 more after the first half, which is still good but I’m confused. And Courtney Williams made a jumper that put them ahead “for good”?? Sports writeups always dramatic. Hope the leg injury for Plum isn’t serious.