Olivia Miles breaks Caitlin Clark’s WNBA rookie record with eight three-pointers
Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles broke Caitlin Clark’s WNBA rookie record by hitting eight three-pointers during an 87-84 victory over the Golden State Valkyries on Thursday.
The number two overall draft pick connected on eight of her 11 attempts from beyond the arc to finish with a season-high 28 points.
She also contributed seven assists and four rebounds as the league-leading Lynx improved their early-season record to 8-2.
The remarkable shooting display eclipsed the previous rookie benchmark of seven triples, which was shared by Indiana Fever star Clark and former New York Liberty guard Crystal Robinson.
Unexpected shooting clinic
Prior to Thursday’s historic performance, the 2025 draftee had struggled from distance, converting just two of her previous 18 attempts this season.
Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve admitted the sudden barrage of long-range scoring was entirely unexpected.
“It was not on our bingo card, but we’ll take it,” Reeve joked after the game.
The veteran manager noted that the coaching staff had been actively encouraging their young playmaker to shoot with more confidence in recent outings.
A history of long-range success
While surprising to some professional observers, the prolific scoring output mirrors the young guard’s impressive collegiate career.
The highly-rated prospect previously drained 10 three-pointers in a single game for TCU against Baylor, having also hit eight in a match during her time at Notre Dame.
Her seamless transition to the professional ranks is evident in her overall offensive production, averaging 17 points and over six assists per game.
The dynamic playmaker has already scored or assisted on 317 points through her first 10 professional appearances.
This remarkable tally places her second in WNBA history for offensive production across a player’s first 10 matches, trailing only Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers.
“It’s a lot of inner work to go and believe in yourself and constantly remind yourself that you deserve to be where you’re at,” the rookie explained regarding her early success.
Her franchise-record-tying performance matched the mark set by team-mate Kayla McBride, further cementing her vital role in Minnesota’s championship aspirations.