The Minnesota Timberwolves opened their home schedule on Sunday night with LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards leading the show, but some of the attention went to Olivia Miles. The Lynx guard sat courtside at Target Center, the same arena where she plays her home games, to watch the Wolves take on the Toronto Raptors, and fans quickly noticed her in the crowd.

Cameras caught Miles waving and making a heart with her hand toward the lens. 

She also looked fully locked in on the action, clearly admiring Ball’s game when he hit his first three-pointer of the night. 

That moment carried a little extra meaning because Ball had already shown her love this season. In late September, after Miles was named the WNBA Rookie of the Year, Ball sent her a message.

In a video the Timberwolves shared on Instagram, he said, “Olivia, you already know. I’m proud of you. From one Rookie of the Year to another, congrats!”  

Miles is now supporting a Minnesota team from the stands because her own season ended earlier than planned. The Lynx finished the regular season with the league’s best record at 33-11. But they were swept by the New York Liberty in the first round, losing both games. That meant no trip to the WNBA Finals, which are now between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries.

Even with that early exit, Miles has plenty to feel proud about. In her debut year, she averaged 19.8 points, 6 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 38.8% from three. She was a unanimous pick for Rookie of the Year and made the All-Star team. 

She also finished second behind A’ja Wilson in MVP voting, and she broke Caitlin Clark’s rookie scoring record along the way.

The honors did not stop there. Just a couple of days ago, Miles was named to the All-WNBA First Team. She became the first rookie to make it since Clark did in 2024. 

For someone who only started her pro career a few months ago, that is quite a ride.And it seems the city has had just as big an impact on her as she has had on the court. 

Olivia Miles Has Found A Real Home In Minnesota

Miles’ love for Minnesota seems to be growing every day. Back in April, when she was introduced as a Lynx player, she said she felt “welcomed with open arms” in her new city. Judging by how things have gone since, that feeling has only grown.

She came into a good situation, too. The Lynx had just finished the previous season with the league’s best record, and Miles arrived as the second overall pick in the 2026 draft. She did not take long to make her mark. While Napheesa Collier was out recovering from procedures on both ankles, Miles helped keep Minnesota on top of the standings. Collier did not return until the middle of July.

The city has welcomed her in return. When she won ROTY, the Lynx surprised her at a team gathering at a restaurant. Her parents, Yakubu and Maria Miles, walked in with the trophy and flowers, and Miles broke down in happy tears. Her teammates and head coach Cheryl Reeve were right there to share the moment.

So it is no surprise that Miles showed up to cheer for the Timberwolves. She is a Minnesota player through and through, and with her waves, her heart gesture and her support for Ball, she showed that the love goes both ways.