As former ESPN host Linda Cohn previously said, the WNBA playoffs are a “different animal”, and former NBA star Jeff Teague changing his opinion on the Caitlin Clark-Olivia Miles debate proves that.

Miles has reached unprecedented heights since her inception in the WNBA, so much so that she is often compared to Caitlin Clark. However, Miles’ lackluster postseason performance has put her under a microscope, which was evident when Teague went back on his previous comments he made about her.

In the latest episode of the Club 520 Podcast, Teague was breaking down the plays Caitlin Clark made during her 27-point, 15-assist game against the Las Vegas Aces in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series. Watching Clark’s finishing and playmaking abilities, Teague quickly changed his opinion on the Clark-Miles debate we are seeing this season.

“Olivia Miles is not better than Caitlin Clark,” Teague said while watching Clark’s highlights.

While this can be seen as Jeff Teague picking Clark over Miles in the ongoing debate around the two, if we look at the context, Teague had a different opinion on this discussion before the playoffs began.

Because last month, when Teague was watching Caitlin Clark’s highlights, he said, “Even the way she play, it don’t look like Olivia Miles, but she’s still cold.”

Olivia Miles recently topped Caitlin Clark’s single-season rookie scoring record of 769, which now stands at 790 after Miles’ generational rookie campaign. The former TCU Horned Frogs gem did it all for Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve’s side this season, averaging 19.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists on close to 50% shooting.

Miles also earned the honor of an All-Star starter, while sweeping all four Rookie of the Month awards. However, the playoffs have made a dent in Miles’ season in the public eye, and Teague’s latest comments are proof of that. Swept by the New York Liberty in the first round itself, Miles was unable to unleash the magic we all saw her do day in and day out during the regular season.

In Game 1, Miles recorded 11 points and 8 rebounds, which was not enough considering her role and expectations on the Lynx team, even as a rookie. Game 2 was even more of a humbling experience for the ROTY, as Miles could only score five points on 1-of-8 shooting from the field. Miles was not even on the court by the end of the game, playing only 17 minutes.

On the contrary, Caitlin Clark, who had her career-best regular-season, is translating that into the playoffs as well. While Clark and the rest of the Fever struggled in Game 1 away from home, the 24-year-old still managed to produce a double-double of 15 points and 10 assists.

However, Game 2 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse is where Clark truly shined, demonstrating her abilities to the fullest in what was a do-or-die game for the Fever. Clark recorded 27 points, 15 assists, and seven rebounds, anchoring the Fever to a 99-89 victory against A’ja Wilson and the Aces.

This was the game that seemingly changed Jeff Teague’s mind on the Clark-Miles debate, which goes to show the importance of a playoff performance, that too when your back is against the wall.

Clark adjusting better to the playoffs makes sense, as this is her third season in the league. She has a better grasp of the level of intensity required in the postseason compared to Miles, who, even after all her accolades, is still a rookie participating in her first playoffs. That became more than evident when she was swept by the veteran-heavy New York Liberty, led by FIBA Women’s World Cup MVP Breanna Stewart.

Regardless, Miles knows better than anyone that she could not live up to the expectations the Lynx and the fandom had of her in the playoffs, and her post-game comments are proof of that.

“Losing games is a part of it. Having games like I had is a part of it… Everyone wants to win all the time, but that’s not how it works… I have to remind myself that I’m a rookie, I’m not a 10-year vet. I have to remind myself I don’t know what I’m doing… Now, there’s no excuse… I’m ready to get it back,” Miles said, per an X post by ClutchPoints’ Kris Pursiainen.

Opinions in the WNBA change rapidly, and Olivia Miles has now experienced it firsthand. From here on, it will be interesting to see how the Rookie of the Year brings her abilities to the playoffs as well.