Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles did not play against the Indiana Fever on Tuesday, Sept. 22. She was ruled out with a left calf injury prior to the Lynx’s 96-77 loss to the Fever.
On Monday, Sept. 21, Miles was listed as “questionable” for the matchup. Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve said the rookie guard would need to be evaluated.
“Going to do some testing, and we’ll go from there,” Reeve said.
Roughly 90 minutes before tipoff, Miles was declared out.
On ESPN’s broadcast, Ryan Ruocco said Miles would not play because a “calf that is tight,” calling the decision “precautionary.” Without Miles in the lineup, Minnesota lost 96-77 to the Fever. Postgame, Reeve addressed Miles’ injury and what the next several days might look like before the Lynx play the Fever again on Thursday (8 p.m. ET, USA Network).
“Kind of the same way it was, really, since Sunday (Sept. 20). It’s been something that sort of popped up, and (I) almost didn’t play her against Connecticut. And probably shouldn’t have. We really were leaning that way,” Reeve said.
Miles was not on the injury report ahead of the team’s 101-89 win against the Sun. She played 30 minutes and finished with 21 points, six assists, three rebounds, two steals — breaking the rookie scoring record.
“This (Fever game) wasn’t an option. We were like, ‘You’re not playing. You’re not ― as much as you want to play today. It just doesn’t make sense.’ So, we’ll do like we did today. See what tomorrow brings in terms of healing and the testing and the stuff that they do to kind of see where it’s at, but we just simply can’t take a chance,” Reeve added.
Miles has played 40 games for Minnesota this season, starting all of her matchups that she took the floor. She is averaging 19.8 points on 49.2% shooting, six assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals.
Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles made WNBA history with a record-breaking season, adding another milestone to her emergence as one of the league’s standout young players.
Above, Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles (5) reacts against Connecticut Sun in the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena.
1 / 6Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles made WNBA history with a record-breaking season, adding another milestone to her emergence as one of the league’s standout young players.
Above, Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles (5) reacts against Connecticut Sun in the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena.
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6 / 6Olivia Miles has dealt with multiple injuries during her rookie season, including calf and ankle injuries. In total, she has missed three games and left two matchups early after sustaining an injury.
On Sunday, July 5, she was listed on Minnesota’s injury report as “questionable ” with a right calf strain before a matchup against the Connecticut Sun. She was later ruled out. Miles was listed on the team’s injury report again on Tuesday, July 7, as “doubtful” with the same injury. She ultimately did not play during the Lynx’s second game that week against the Sun.
“Those that were in tune to the last game, you know, (Olivia Miles) mentioned feeling some cramping, and you know, I think ultimately it wasn’t a cramp, and so we’re kind of taking the next step of imaging…and that sort of thing, and trying to get a final answer, exactly what we’re dealing with,” Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve said on July 6.
During a Wednesday, June 15, game versus the Los Angeles Sparks, Miles rolled her left ankle in the second half. She limped off the floor, refusing help from two staff members, and went back to the locker room. Miles did not return.
Miles appeared to roll her left ankle with under five minutes remaining in a Wednesday, Aug. 19. win over the Golden State Valkyries. She was defending Valkyries guard Veronica Burton when she awkwardly planted her foot and stepped on Napheesa Collier‘s foot. Miles limped to the baseline before falling to the ground in pain. She was initially listed as “doubtful to return”, but Miles did not play any more minutes that night.
“She did tweak it, but I don’t have any idea where it’s at, “Reeve told reporters at the time. “I haven’t seen the play yet. Obviously, we’re hoping that she’s OK.”
On Monday, Sept. 21, Miles was listed as “questionable” for a Tuesday, Sept. 22 matchup against the Indiana Fever with a left calf injury. Roughly 90 minutes before tipoff, Miles was ruled out. ESPN’s broadcast of the game confirmed the decision to sit Miles for a”calf that is tight”, saying it was “precautionary.”
“We were like, ‘You’re not playing. You’re not ― as much as you want to play today. It just doesn’t make sense,'” Reeve said following the Fever game. “So, we’ll do like we did today. See what tomorrow brings in terms of healing and the testing and the stuff that they do to kind of see where it’s at, but we just simply can’t take a chance.”
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