A national television audience tuned in Sunday expecting a showcase for Caitlin Clark, and instead watched Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles put together one of the signature performances of her breakout season. The Indiana Fever left Minneapolis with a loss in a game that lived up to the hype in almost every other way.
The Lynx and Fever traded blows for four quarters in a matchup that tested both of the league’s most efficient offenses.
WNBA World Reacts to Olivia Miles’ Takeover
Miles scored 23 points before halftime, hitting a variety of nifty layups and three-pointers to help Minnesota build an 11-point lead at the break. She cooled off after that, adding just five more points in the second half, three of them coming on a clutch late shot.
Even with the quieter finish, Miles closed the afternoon with 28 points, four rebounds, and six assists on 11-of-14 shooting, further cementing her status as the clear Rookie of the Year front-runner and pushing her into the MVP conversation as well.
Clark had a decent night too, finishing with 19 points and 10 assists. But she struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 2-of-9 from three, and missed two consecutive 3-point attempts in the closing minutes that could have given Indiana the lead.
It was Clark’s own backcourt mate, Kelsey Mitchell, who stole the show, exploding for 37 points. It was one point shy of her career high, while she shot 14-of-21 from the field and knocked down 6 of 8 shots from deep.
The WNBA world had plenty to say about Miles’ performance in front of Clark and Indiana.
Caitlin Clark tied it at 41 with a 3, then Olivia Miles took this game over. Never seen a more mature rookie guard. Old soul. Lynx by 11 at half with 64 points. Indy is obviously going to have to play A LITTLE defense in the 2nd half.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) August 2, 2026
Basketball analyst Skip Bayless praised Miles, ” Caitlin Clark tied it at 41 with a 3, then Olivia Miles took this game over. Never seen a more mature rookie guard. Old soul. Lynx by 11 at half with 64 points. Indy is obviously going to have to play A LITTLE defense in the 2nd half.”
An X user had a bold take on the comparison between the two star guards. “Olivia Miles is everything Caitlin Clark is portrayed to be as a player and it’s not even close,” she wrote.
Another user didn’t hold back as well and backed the Lynx star against the former ROTY, too. “Olivia Miles is the PG yall thought Caitlin Clark was,” he wrote.
Olivia Miles is special man.
28 points on 11-14 shooting. 50% from 3.
4 rebounds, 6 assists.Straight HOOPER pic.twitter.com/23RAKAwvgQ
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 2, 2026
Former NFL player Robert Griffin III chimed in with a strong opinion as well. “Olivia Miles is special man. 28 points on 11-14 shooting. 50% from 3. 4 rebounds, 6 assists. Straight HOOPER,” he said.
A basketball fan page also had plenty to say in favor of Miles. They posted an image of Miles’ stat line at halftime and then wrote on X, “Olivia miles clears Caitlin Clark.”
