The Minnesota Lynx walked away with a 77-66 victory over the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday, but the win came with a concern that could matter far more. Rookie sensation Olivia Miles left the game with an apparent left ankle injury late in the fourth quarter, leaving the Lynx without one of their most important players down the stretch.
Head coach Cheryl Reeve did not have much information to offer immediately afterward, making Miles’ status the biggest question surrounding the Lynx following the win.
Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve Has No Update on Olivia Miles’ Ankle Injury
Miles’ night ended with 4:37 remaining after she appeared to hurt her ankle while defending Veronica Burton. The Lynx rookie was tracking the Valkyries guard when she planted awkwardly, apparently stepping on teammate Napheesa Collier’s foot in the process.
Miles immediately struggled to put weight on her leg. She made her way toward the baseline before eventually going down, visibly in pain. Coaches and teammates gathered around her as she remained on the floor for several minutes.
Olivia Miles steps on Napheesa’s foot and rolls her ankle 😞 pic.twitter.com/937HprTE6P
— Kyle Ingram (@SnapshotKyle) August 20, 2026
The Lynx training staff eventually helped Miles off the court and toward the bench. She did not return for the remainder of the game.
After the contest, a reporter asked Reeve directly about Miles’ injury status.
“Is her ankle OK? Looks like she tweaked it,” the reporter asked.
Reeve could only offer a cautious response.
“She did tweak it, but I don’t have any idea where it’s at,” Reeve said. “I haven’t seen the play yet. So obviously we’re hoping that she’s okay.”
Cheryl Reeve on Olivia Miles’ ankle
“She did tweak it but I don’t have any idea where it’s at. I haven’t seen the play yet. So obviously we’re hoping that she’s okay” pic.twitter.com/oG7LYWVzw1
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) August 20, 2026
That uncertainty leaves Minnesota waiting for more information before determining whether Miles can suit up for its next game.
Despite the injury, Miles already delivered another standout performance. The 23-year-old finished with 20 points on an efficient 80% shooting from the field while adding 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. She also knocked down 3 of her 5 attempts from beyond the arc.
The injury is not completely unfamiliar territory for Miles. She previously rolled her left ankle during a July game against the Los Angeles Sparks and briefly left that contest before returning to the bench.
Still, the timing makes Wednesday’s scare particularly important for Minnesota. The Lynx have been the WNBA’s hottest team, losing only once across their last 16 games. Wednesday’s victory also extended their current winning streak to five games.
Miles has been a major reason for that run. She is averaging a team-leading 19.9 points per game this season while shooting 50.3% from the field, giving Minnesota another dynamic scoring option alongside its established core of Collier, Kayla McBride, and Courtney Williams.
With the regular season moving toward its final stretch, Minnesota cannot afford to lose a player who has become so central to its success this season.
The Lynx have built significant momentum, boasting the top spot in the league standings with a 30-7 record, and keeping their young point guard healthy will be a major priority.
Their next test comes Friday, when Minnesota travels to face the Washington Mystics. Whether Miles can make the trip and take the floor will depend on the results of the evaluation still to come.
