Olivia Miles breaks Caitlin Clark’s WNBA rookie points record in Lynx win over Sun
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Olivia Miles broke Caitlin Clark's WNBA record for points by a rookie in a season on Sunday in the Minnesota Lynx's 101-89 victory over the Connecticut Sun.
Miles, who finished with 21 points, was tied with Clark at 769 points coming into the game and moved atop the list when she made a free throw in the second quarter. The Lynx rookie came into the game averaging 19.7 points, 6.0 assists and 4.7 rebounds, and was a big reason the team had the best record in the WNBA.
“It’s special, but it means we’re more so working well as a team. I have great teammates around me, great vets who allow me to be me out there," Miles said. "It wouldn’t be possible without one, a coach that believes in you and then two, having teammates that have my back. So it’s really special to obviously be able to accomplish that with such a great team and on a win as well.”
Miles was 7 of 10 from the field and made all six of her free-throw attempts. The All-Star guard, who was selected second in the draft after playing her college ball at Notre Dame and TCU, got off to a slow start against the Sun, going scoreless in the first quarter. Her record-breaking free throw came 29 seconds into the second quarter.
Miles and Clark both accomplished their feats in 40 games.
The Lynx star already had broken a couple of rookie records held by Clark. She hit eight 3-pointers in a win over Golden State on June 4 to set the league record for most by a rookie in a game. That was one more than Clark's best. Miles also became the fastest rookie to reach 350 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists in her career, doing it in 21 games — one quicker than Clark and former Charlotte Sting guard Andrea Stinson.
___
See AP’s full WNBA coverage here
© Copyright The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in this news report may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
