Sue Bird Says Olivia Miles Already Knows Who She Is, and the WNBA Should Be Nervous

Olivia Miles just keeps getting better

The Minnesota Lynx survived a thriller Monday night, beating the Phoenix Mercury 104-101 at Target Center. And the story wasn’t just the win. It was the rookie who put the team on her back in the final minute.

With 21 seconds left and the Lynx clinging to a one-point lead, Olivia Miles drove into the lane and found Natasha Howard for a layup. Then she got fouled on the next possession and hit a free throw to seal it. That’s the kind of poise you don’t usually see from a first-year player.

Miles finished with a career-high 33 points, plus three rebounds and eight assists. She shot 10-of-16 from the field and went 5-of-8 from three-point range. It was the kind of night that makes you forget she’s only a few months into her WNBA career.

Sue Bird sees something special

After the game, Sue Bird had some high praise for Miles on the postgame show.

“Not every kid coming out of college knows exactly who they are as a basketball player. Some are still figuring it out,” Bird said on “WNBA Showtime.” “She went through a lot, whether it was her decision to go from Notre Dame to TCU to stay that fifth year. She just has gone through enough in her life as a basketball player where she believes in herself and her decisions.”

Bird knows pressure. She was the No. 1 pick in 2002 and dealt with the expectations that come with that. Miles went No. 2 this year, but she’s making it look almost effortless. Like Bird, she was named an All-Star as a rookie.

Miles is averaging 19.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.3 steals. Those numbers alone would be impressive. But what she did Monday made history.

Fastest to a historic milestone

Miles became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 400 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists. She got there in fewer games than anyone before her. That’s the kind of record that turns heads.

Kevin Garnett has also shouted her out this season. So it’s not just the WNBA crowd taking notice. The whole basketball world is starting to pay attention.

And here’s the scary part: Miles is barely scratching the surface. She’s 23 years old, already an All-Star, already breaking records. If this is what she looks like in Year One, opponents better start worrying about Year Two.