Olivia Miles set a new WNBA rookie scoring record Sunday as the Minnesota Lynx defeated the Connecticut Sun 101-89 in Uncasville, Connecticut. Miles surpassed Caitlin Clark’s previous mark for points scored by a rookie in a single season, moving past Clark with a free throw in the second quarter. Prior to the game, both players were tied with 769 points.

Miles finished the game with 21 points, contributing to the Lynx’s dominant performance. She entered the contest averaging 19.7 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game, playing a key role in helping Minnesota achieve the league’s top record at 32-10. Napheesa Collier led the Lynx with 23 points, including an early 10-point first quarter that helped Minnesota build a 27-12 lead.

The Lynx, who had lost three consecutive games before Sunday, started strong, opening with an 11-2 run in the first 3:30 minutes. Collier scored the game’s first four points, while former Sun standout Courtney Williams contributed five points during the early stretch. Minnesota extended its lead to 45-26 late in the first half before Connecticut rallied with a 15-4 run to narrow the deficit to eight points. Collier’s three-point play near the end of the half restored Minnesota’s double-digit advantage.

Connecticut, which fell to 10-32 and endured a fifth straight loss, continued to face injury challenges. Saniya Rivers exited the game in the first quarter due to injury and did not return. The Sun struggled to keep pace with the Lynx throughout the contest despite their efforts.

With two games remaining in the regular season, including a home-and-home series against the Indiana Fever, Minnesota is positioned to secure the top seed in the WNBA playoffs. The Lynx need either one victory of their own or a loss by the Golden State Valkyries to clinch home-court advantage throughout the postseason.

Reflecting on her record-breaking achievement, Miles credited her teammates and coaching staff for their support. “It’s special, but it means we’re more so working well as a team,” she said. “I have great teammates around me, great vets who allow me to be me out there. It wouldn’t be possible without one, a coach that believes in you and then two, having teammates that have my back.”