There’s something brewing in Minneapolis, and it’s not just the summer air rolling in as the WNBA season heats up. The Minnesota Lynx, led by rookie sensation Olivia Miles and the ever-reliable Courtney Williams, are making headlines with a blend of historic performances and clutch victories as they surge through the early stages of the 2026 season and the Commissioner’s Cup.
On Thursday night, June 4, 2026, the Lynx squared off against the Golden State Valkyries in a matchup that was anything but ordinary. Rookie guard Olivia Miles, the No. 2 pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, set the court ablaze by draining eight 3-pointers on just 11 attempts—a feat never before accomplished by a WNBA rookie in a single game. The previous record of seven was jointly held by Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark (2024) and former New York Liberty standout Crystal Robinson (1999). Miles, who entered the night with only two made threes on 18 attempts this season, found her rhythm at the perfect time, splashing home shot after shot and rewriting the record books in front of an electric home crowd.
"It’s a lot of inner work to believe in yourself and constantly remind yourself that you deserve to be where you’re at," Miles shared in her postgame conference. "I think it’s also a mix of the environment that I’m in. The support that I have here to let me be me, to go out there and hoop and be myself, it allows me to be comfortable. (Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve) has my back, my teammates have my back. It’s easy when you have that kind of support."
But Miles’s heroics didn’t stop at long-range shooting. She finished the night with a career-high 28 points, seven assists, and three blocks, steering the Lynx to a narrow 87-84 victory over the Valkyries. The win marked the Lynx’s sixth consecutive triumph, pushing their record to a league-leading 8-2 and giving them a 2-0 start in the 2026 Commissioner’s Cup. As if that weren’t enough, Miles was recently named WNBA Rookie of the Month after leading all rookies in both points and assists per game—a testament to her immediate impact and poise under pressure.
The Thursday night clash was packed with drama and momentum swings. The Valkyries, led by Cecilia Zandalasini’s 18 points (with 10 coming in the fourth quarter), held a slim 44-42 halftime advantage despite Miles’s early hot hand. The game featured nine lead changes and six ties, with neither team able to pull away by more than seven points. Golden State appeared poised for a late surge after Zandalasini’s three-pointer put them up 75-70 with just over seven minutes left. Then, the Lynx defense clamped down, holding the Valkyries scoreless for more than four minutes while Minnesota rattled off an 11-0 run. Williams, who poured in nine of her 17 points in the fourth quarter, was instrumental in that stretch, scoring six points and providing the veteran leadership that has become her trademark.
Natasha Howard’s two free throws with just over three minutes remaining pushed the Lynx ahead 81-75, but the Valkyries refused to go quietly. Zandalasini responded with a clutch three and a pair of free throws, whittling the deficit to just two points with a minute left. Williams answered with a jumper, but Golden State’s Hayes countered with a layup, setting up a nail-biting finish. With six seconds on the clock, Williams hit one of two free throws, and after a timeout and a jump ball following an inadvertent whistle, Zandalasini’s final three-point attempt at the buzzer fell short, sealing a hard-fought Lynx victory.
This win wasn’t just about Miles’s record-breaking night. It was another chapter in the Lynx’s impressive start to the season, which has included a dominant 111-77 statement win over the Phoenix Mercury to open the Commissioner’s Cup on June 1. That game, played in Phoenix, marked the largest margin of victory in any WNBA game this season. Courtney Williams was unstoppable, scoring 30 points on 10-of-12 shooting—including a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc—the most she’s ever tallied in a Lynx uniform. Williams, who holds the highest 3-point shooting percentage in Commissioner’s Cup history among players with at least 50 career attempts (47.6%), has been a steadying force for Minnesota.
"They just kept doing the same defense and Courtney thrives in those moments," Kayla McBride said after practice. "She’s a hooper. Being back in her natural position, I think she’s enjoying it more than anybody realizes. When she’s in the zone like that it’s almost like a flow state. The shots that Courtney takes, that’s what you normally give up [as a defense], but she’s just so efficient at it, so it just becomes a lot of fun. You love to see your teammate having a moment like that."
Williams herself appreciates the unique energy the Commissioner’s Cup brings. "I think it gives us that competitive, playoff type of feel in the middle of the season," she said after her 30-point performance. "I think it’s a good thing for our league, and obviously, 30 bands on the line so when we go get us some extra money, that’s always a good thing."
It’s not just Williams lighting it up from deep. McBride, who entered this year’s tournament ranked fifth all-time in Commissioner’s Cup 3-point percentage (42.7% on 220 attempts), and former Lynx Bridget Carleton (45%) have both made their mark as sharpshooters in the high-stakes tournament. The Lynx’s reputation as a 3-point shooting powerhouse is well-earned—they currently rank second in the league in 3-point percentage at just over 38%.
This blend of rookie brilliance and veteran savvy has propelled the Lynx to the top of the standings and fueled dreams of another deep postseason run. The team has reached the Commissioner’s Cup final in each of the past two seasons—winning in 2024 and finishing as runners-up in 2025. Head coach Cheryl Reeve, who also serves as the team’s president of basketball operations, keeps the focus squarely on the big picture. "I know that the players want more money, any chance that there’s money on the line it means something to them and we want them to be successful in their pursuit of that," Reeve said. "It doesn’t take over what you’re trying to do of the larger picture of the season."
With a league-best record, a six-game winning streak, and a roster firing on all cylinders, the Lynx are eyeing not just more Commissioner’s Cup glory, but the elusive fifth WNBA championship—an achievement no franchise has yet reached. The next challenge looms as they prepare to face the Seattle Storm in their third Cup matchup, with momentum and confidence on their side.
As the summer unfolds and the stakes rise, the Minnesota Lynx are making it clear: they’re not just chasing records—they’re chasing history, one electrifying performance at a time.