For most of the season, teams facing the Minnesota Lynx have come back to one striking reality: How do you stop rookie Olivia Miles? The answer is still missing, but Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase has shared a plausible tactical reset that could help the team guard her ahead of their next matchup.

“We got to guard her,” Nakase said, as per reporter Nathan Canilao. “Last time and then just overall versus Minnesota, we got outrebounded. We got killed on both ends of offensive rebounding and rebounding. So, we have to box out tonight.”

Nakase has always held high regard for the No. 2 draftee this season. Even before their first matchup a couple of weeks back, the Valkyries’ head coach made a bold comparison between Miles and NBA legend Magic Johnson.

“Watching her, she’s like a mini Magic Johnson out there,” Nakase had said, per Valkyries United’s YouTube channel. “She’s amazing. It’s like she has the ball on string. It’s just she has really quick hands from what I have noticed in her pick and roll.”

Natalie Nakase witnessed Miles’ talents firsthand in their first matchup. Despite being one of the formidable defensive teams in the league, the Valkyries were completely outplayed by the rookie.

Miles exploded for 28 points on the night in just 28 minutes of game time. Furthermore, the Minnesota guard went 9-16 from the field and 8-11 from beyond the arc, for a staggering 72.7% from the field. In this game, Miles also broke Caitlin Clark’s record for the most three-pointers by a rookie in a single game.

Even more impressive was the fact that, despite being the primary ball handler of the team, the Valkyries’ defense forced Olivia Miles to just one turnover in the game. As Nakase said in her latest press conference, they just couldn’t defend her.

For context, it isn’t just the Valkyries; most of the teams this season are still figuring out the way to defend Miles. It’s because of the number of tricks that the rookie has up her sleeves. The Minnesota guard can shake off defenders with her accurate playmaking, dribble to score from the paint, or even knock down a logo three-pointer.

Nakase must execute this defensive blueprint when the teams meet again. To be honest, they do have suitable players like Gabby Williams to lock her down in the perimeters. Notably, the Valkyries can also look to double-team Miles to restrict her array of options or even force a turnover.

The Minnesota Lynx also has several other players who can pose a tough challenge to the Valkyries, like Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, and Natasha Howard. But restricting Miles’ playmaking prowess will largely force the Lynx to adjust and reset their game plan mid-game.

And for all money, Natalie Nakase and the Golden State Valkyries seem to have been successful in doing that.

Natalie Nakase and Co Shuts Down Olivia Miles but still fall to Minnesota

Coming off a season-high 31-point night against the LA Sparks, Olivia Miles was in for another dominating night against the Golden State Valkyries. But as reality set in, those aspirations just didn’t materialize. Natalie Nakase’s team restricted Miles to a single-digit score for the first time this season.

Miles logged 32 minutes but finished 1-of-10 from the field for just 7 points. Five of her points from the tally came from the free-throw line. Instead, the No. 2 draftee did contribute with five rebounds and four assists.

Against it, Miles also had a disappointing six turnovers in the game. The Valkyries clearly tightened the defense on Miles, restricting her free-flowing playing style. But even then, the Minnesota Lynx found a way to clinch the win.

The Valkyries yet again got outrebounded 38-41 in the game. Furthermore, Natalie Nakase’s team had a cold shooting night, going 35% from the field. Cecilia Zandalasini led the night for the Valkyries with 23 points. But the Minnesota veterans were just good enough on the night for them.

Nia Coffey scored 22 on the night for the Lynx while Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride combined to add 38 on the scoreboard as Minnesota won the game 81-75. This marked the sixth defeat of the season for Natalie Nakase’s team this season. They face the Las Vegas Aces up next on June 21 at the Michelob Ultra Arena.