Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said Olivia Miles was carrying the responsibility of the team on her shoulders after she made WNBA history against the Phoenix Mercury. 

The Lynx improved to 18-6 for the 2026 season and sit top of the standings after beating Phoenix 104-100, though it was Miles that stole all the headlines. 

Miles registered a career-high points total of 33, while Kayla McBride chipped in with 37 of her own to lead Minnesota to their third consecutive win. 

It was the first time in Lynx history that two players scored 30 points or more and only the fifth time in WNBA history that a pair of players reached 70 points or more in regulation. 

Miles, meanwhile, became the first WNBA player to reach 400 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists in 22 games, with her eight assists here the most by a Lynx rookie.

"[Miles] is doing this and shouldering so much – basically the entire team," Reeve said.

"The success of the team is on her shoulders and that is impressive how she's handled it."

GOOOOOOOOODNIGHT. pic.twitter.com/cGmpvscYjb

— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) July 14, 2026

Miles scored 16 points in the fourth quarter to lead her team to a win over a struggling Mercury squad that has now lost four games in a row.

Natasha Howard also played her part with 13 points and seven assists, while Courtney Williams and Eliska Hamzova scored eight each.

After beating the New York Liberty last weekend, Reeve insisted that the Lynx are still led by former MVP candidate Napheesa Collier, who has just returned to team training. 

Collier underwent offseason ankle surgeries and is expected to make her season debut soon. 

Reeve said it was premature to "anoint" any player with Collier out of action, though she said Miles is in a league of her own at this stage of her career. 

"She is the first player in [WNBA] history – not the first rookie – the first player in [WNBA] history to get 400 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists in 22 games," Reeve added. 

"And so I want you to digest that and think about that. There have been tremendous players in this league. And so again, this is not compared to other rookies.

"I just can't say enough. I know what her impact on her team has been. The magnitude of it shouldn't be understated."