The Minnesota Lynx are at the very top of the WNBA standings, and a large part of the credit goes to rookie sensation Olivia Miles. Miles has been the primary offensive weapon, leading the Lynx to an outstanding record of 31-9 record. While she is an obvious candidate for Rookie of the Year, Miles has also recently caught the eye of Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi, who made a bold comparison about the Lynx star.

Taurasi was a guest on the September 1 episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast. Simmons, a veteran sportswriter, asked the 11-time WNBA All-Star if any of the current young WNBA players stand out to her. Taurasi’s answer was immediate and without hesitation, and it was clipped and posted to X by NCAA March Madness.

“Well, I think Olivia Miles is a special talent.  I think she was a little under the radar because she did leave Notre Dame and she went to TCU, which was a little bit of a smaller school. But this kid is doing stuff that we, you know, she has Kyrie-like handles. She can shoot the basketball. She’s, you know, she can get in the lane. And I always said, if you can shoot and you can pass, you can play forever,” said Taurasi on X.

The Lynx better wish that Olivia Miles plays for them forever, with the kind of numbers she’s putting up. In just her last five outings, Miles has averaged 19.2 points, while adding 5.4 assists as well. In her breakout rookie season, Miles already leads the Minnesota Lynx in both points scored as well as assist made, despite the team boasting veteran players such as Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, and Natasha Howard. Her outstanding performance has led Taurasi, who holds the record for the most points scored in WNBA history (10,646), to boldly compare Miles to NBA legend Kyrie Irving.

Simmons, going off Diana Taurasi’s comments, pointed out a particular move that Irving was known for, which he finds Miles mirroring. 

“She has that Kyrie move when he sticks his right arm all the way out and holds that kind of ahead of the defender and is able to put the layup off the glass.”

Irving is widely considered one of the best ball-handlers in basketball history. The Dallas Mavericks point guard has been known for his tight ball control coupled with quick countermoves, which allow him to establish enough space to push past defenders with ease. The nine-time NBA All-Star’s stats back his renown as well. Even after 14 seasons in the NBA, the veteran PG averaged 24.7 points in the 2024-25 season, with a 47.3% field goal percentage. He is still considered one of the most dangerous rim scorers inside the paint. 

Miles’ playstyle is similar to the aggressive scoring that Irving brought to the hardwood. The rookie guard is regularly seen pushing past defenders towards the rim, faking out guards as she bags twos. Over her outstanding rookie 2026 regular season, Miles has shot with an overall accuracy of 49.5%. Her three-point shooting is no joke either. Miles is well known for knocking down accurate three-pointers too, shooting with 39.6% efficiency. Her efficiency and Irving-like ball-handling can all contribute to the Lynx’s genuine push for the championship this season.

While Miles makes a strong case for Rookie of the Year, there is also some conjecture about her going for the ultimate individual honor in the WNBA season. 

The Lynx Push for Championship as Olivia Miles Makes a Case for MVP 

While there is no doubt that Olivia Miles is a lock for Rookie of the Year, she has also been a part of the MVP conversation this season. With the likes of four-time reigning MVP A’ja Wilson and three-time WNBA All-Star in the running, rookie Miles could be a long shot for the honor. 

But this did not stop the WNBA from including her in the race. In the ‘Race to 2026 Kia WNBA MVP’ list from August 21, sportswriter Candace Pedraza included Miles in the conversation for the 2026 MVP award. 

“The Minnesota Lynx rookie simply plays like anything but one, and it has propelled her towards the top of this MVP ladder. When speaking about the semantics of “most valuable player,” Miles fits the bill – what player has had the greatest impact on winning?” she wrote.

If Miles does end up winning the MVP award this season, she will join an elite club of only three other players in WNBA history to win MVP honors in their debut year in the league. This club includes Cynthia Cooper (1997), Yolanda Griffith (1999), and Candice Parker (2008). 

Miles is in the best possible position as the WNBA prepares for the playoffs, averaging 19.7  points, 4.6 rebounds, and six assists. The Lynx are in prime position, at the top of the league, having secured the home-court advantage, which they will fight to maintain over the remainder of their regular-season schedule. And Taurasi feels Miles is privileged to be in the position she is now.

“I mean, what an incredible opportunity for her to be on a team that is expected to win a championship? Obviously, we know what their coaching staffs like and the pedigree of the players that they have. It’s the perfect scenario for her to really be in the driver’s seat in this league for the next 10 to 12 years,” Taurasi added on the podcast. 

Olivia Miles and the Lynx will now look to improve their already fantastic record as they face New York, Connecticut and Indiana when the WNBA regular season resumes after the FIBA ends.