Lynx Rookie Olivia Miles Sidelined With Calf Injury Right Before Sun Game

The Minnesota Lynx got some bad news just ahead of Monday’s matchup with the Connecticut Sun. Rookie guard Olivia Miles is out for the first time this season after popping up on the injury report with a calf issue, per ESPN’s Alexa Philippou.

Miles hurt her calf during last week’s loss to the New York Liberty. She left the game in the fourth quarter and never came back. In 26 minutes that night she put up 14 points, five rebounds, five assists and a steal — but shot just 5-of-16 from the floor and missed all four of her 3-point attempts.

What Miles’ Absence Means for the Lynx

This is a tough break for Minnesota. Miles had played in all 20 games so far, averaging a little over 30 minutes a night. She’s been the team’s primary playmaker and the clear frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, coming off her second straight Rookie of the Month award. Her numbers through 20 games: 18.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.4 steals, with shooting splits of 50.6 percent from the field, 30.9 percent from deep and 89.9 percent from the free-throw line.

The Lynx are already short-handed in other ways too. Star forward Napheesa Collier and center Dorka Juhasz still haven’t made their season debuts. There is some good news there — both have returned to practice recently and are making progress toward getting back on the floor. But for now, Minnesota has to figure out how to handle the Sun without their rookie floor general.

How the Team Adjusts

Monday’s game was the first real test of depth for the Lynx this season. Miles had been the one running the offense, and her absence means other guards will need to step up. The team hasn’t announced who will start in her place, but expect some rotation changes.

The Sun are no pushover either. Connecticut came into this one with their own momentum, and losing a player of Miles’ caliber — especially one who handles the ball as much as she does — changes the entire dynamic of the game. The Lynx will have to rely on experience and maybe a little luck to stay competitive without her.

There’s no official timeline on when Miles might be back. Calf injuries can be tricky, and with Collier and Juhasz already sidelined, Minnesota isn’t taking any chances. The team has been cautious with its injured players all season, and there’s no reason to think they’ll rush Miles back before she’s ready.