​Olivia Miles returned to action after missing two games and poured in 23 points as the Minnesota Lynx defeated the New York Liberty 90-85 on Saturday. Miles, who was sidelined with a calf injury, also contributed five rebounds and four assists, finishing strong by calmly sinking four free throws in the final minute to seal the Lynx’s win. The 2024 All-Star starter continues to pace Minnesota, averaging 18.7 points and 5.6 assists per game, underscoring her status as the team’s leading playmaker and scorer.
The Lynx received a balanced offensive effort, led by Kayla McBride, who dropped a game-high 25 points. Natasha Howard added 16 points, nine rebounds, and two steals, while Courtney Williams grabbed 12 boards to help Minnesota secure its top position in the league with a 17-6 record. This win kept the Lynx at the WNBA’s best mark and solidified their standing atop the standings.
Defensively and offensively, Minnesota demonstrated resilience late, responding after New York had briefly reclaimed the lead. The Liberty opened the fourth quarter with a 3 by Jonquel Jones to push the margin back to four, but McBride answered with a 3 on the next possession, keeping the Lynx within striking distance. The momentum swung further in Minnesota’s favor after a couple of pivotal plays: a technical foul on Liberty coach Chris DaMarco following a loose-ball call on Jones, and a timely three by McBride that extended the Lynx’s advantage to 78-72.
Still, New York kept it tight, pulling within one on three separate occasions during the final 4:26. McBride’s second crucial 3-pointer with 2:43 remaining gave Minnesota an important cushion at 84-80. McBride finished the night shooting 5-for-11 from long range, adding to New York’s concerns with their perimeter defense. Sabrina Ionescu matched Miles with 25 points for the Liberty, but she shot just 9-for-20 from the floor and 3-for-12 from beyond the arc. Breanna Stewart added 17 points and seven rebounds, while Jonquel Jones posted a double-double with 15 points and 12 boards.
The loss dropped New York to 13-10, tying them with the Atlanta Dream for the seventh seed in the WNBA standings. Nevertheless, the Liberty’s strong showing kept them in the mix as they chase playoff positioning in a tightly packed conference. Minnesota, by contrast, maintained its hold on the league’s top seed, continuing a standout campaign that has kept them ahead of the pack in a competitive season.
In the broader context of the league, the Lynx’s win aligns with the Las Vegas Aces’ success on Saturday, as Vegas improved to 17-6 after defeating the Phoenix Mercury. The two teams sit at the top of the WNBA standings, closely followed by the Golden State Valkyries at 17-7. The Valkyries’ next game isn’t until Wednesday when they face the Indiana Fever, a schedule detail that keeps the playoff race tightly bunched as the season progresses.
Miles’s return paid immediate dividends for Minnesota, validating their decision to bring her back into the lineup and reinforcing the Lynx’s status as a formidable force in the league. Her timely scoring, along with McBride’s sharpshooting and Howard’s all-around contribution, helped Minnesota overcome a stubborn Liberty squad and extend their dominance atop the WNBA standings. As the season continues, the Lynx will look to build on this momentum, while New York will aim to tighten up their road map to the playoffs with continued improvements on defense and ball movement.