What happened: Olivia Miles scored the opening basket for the Minnesota Lynx in their road matchup against the New York Liberty. The rookie guard set the early tone as two of the WNBA's strongest teams got underway.
Why it matters: The meeting pits Minnesota's league-best record against a New York side fresh off a Commissioner's Cup title, making it a marquee measuring-stick game with seeding implications down the stretch. Miles, who set a WNBA rookie record with a 24-point half last month, has been central to the Lynx's rise.
By the numbers: Minnesota enters at a league-best 18-4, riding a two-game win streak and allowing just 78.1 points per game while scoring 89.0. New York sits 14-9, scoring 87.8 and allowing 84.0, and recently captured the 2026 Commissioner's Cup. Minnesota's biggest win this season was a 111-77 rout at Phoenix on June 1.
What to watch: Watch whether Minnesota's top-ranked defense can slow New York's backcourt, and how large a role Miles plays as the two contenders settle in.