Over 15,000 fans turn out for Olivia Miles goggle give away as Lynx return to action
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Mitzi Fernandez of Minnetonka already wears glasses, but for a Olivia Miles-inspired goggle giveaway Friday, doubling – even tripling – up on specs was no problem.
“I’m trying to bring out all the Olivia Miles energy to win the game right now,” Fernandez said during halftime, walking the Target Center concourse in her actual glasses with a Lynx baseball cap and her and her wife’s goggles balancing double-decker style on top.
Over 15,700 fans turned out for what was the team’s first game since the FIBA World Cup break. Like Fernandez, thousands sported the goggles that have become a staple in the rookie point guard's distinct look. But in the end, the Lynx came up short, losing 93-81 against the New York Liberty in a possible first-round playoff matchup.
For Plymouth’s Ishabor Makvandi, he’s used to showing his love for Miles and the Lynx loud and proud, dressed up as Miles nearly every game he goes to.
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“I just love the energy and the excitement and seeing all the kids with the stuff on their face and all the adults. It's like, I mean, it's like we're all in union, like we're all in unison,” he said.
Another fan, Pam Kremer of Minneapolis, was excited to see the arena full of the thick, black-rimmed goggles. Like so many Minnesota fans, Miles quickly became a favorite.
“When they made the choice, it was like we weren't sure, but she's perfect. She is perfect. She's the perfect point guard, and with Lindsey as her mentor, she just gets better every game,” Kremer said.
Kremer became a Lynx fan over a decade ago. She’s watched Miles throughout her college career, remembering her time at Notre Dame most.
“What a standout she was there,” Kremer said. “She's amazing. She's just a fireball. As soon as she's out there, she goes.”
After over a month away, she was ready to welcome the Lynx back with a full house. She said Friday was about how fans “continue to support them, continue to cheer them on, continue to let them know that we're here for them.”
“We wish them all the success that they deserve,” Kremer said.
Sue Sibilski of St. Paul has been a fan since the team’s beginning in 1999. She remembers the highs and lows over the years – including the 2024 championships the Lynx lost to the Liberty – Sibilski considered it “stolen” from Minnesota – after what many consider a controversial foul call.
But Friday, Sibilski said the calls seemed “pretty even” between the two teams.
“I don't think it's the fouls that are determining the game,” she said. “The Lynx just got really cold in the second half, and they weren't making their shots. They're missing layups. They're missing three pointers. And turnovers. Turnovers don't help.”
It was a sentiment head coach Cheryl Reeve echoed herself. In a post game press conference Reeve said the Liberty out-executed their offense and the Lynx gave up easy baskets.
“It doesn't feel very good for sure. You know, sucks to have the record that we do at home. We're not not satisfied with that remotely, but you know, tonight New York was better than us offensively for sure,” Reeve said.
After Friday's game, shooting guard Kayla McBride said the focus will be execution of plays, attending to details and hitting shots.
“They made shots the last five minutes of the game, and we didn't. And that's what the game comes down to, we understand that at this point in the season,” McBride said. “It's just getting back to executing the fluidity and just capitalizing because, I mean, great teams are going to make great plays and we’ve been that team all year long.”
Miles was the leading scorer for Minnesota with 20 points. She said adjusting to this point of the season and refs calls is something she continues to work at as a rookie.
“It’s frustrating at times when you feel like you’re getting hounded everywhere and pushed off your spots and thrown on the ground and stuff,” she said. “But ultimately, like, we can't rely on the refs to to win us the game, and got to go strong and got to finish your contact.”
As for the goggles, Miles said it remains cool to see her impact on fans and the community, especially seeing them embrace and wear proudly one of her trademark looks.
“I don’t wear them for fun, I wear them because I actually need to see, but I'm glad other people wear them and appreciate, you know, the magic or whatever it may be that it brings them,” she said. “Minnesota is such a special place. I'm so grateful to be here, and they really, wrap their arms around their players.”
The Liberty beat the Lynx 93-81 as Breanna Stewart posts 24 points and 10 rebounds
The Liberty’s Breanna Stewart scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Jonquel Jones had 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Stewart moved past Sue Bird and into ninth place on the WNBA's career scoring list with 6,806 points. She's five points behind Cappie Pondexter for eighth place.
Stewart also had four assists and three steals. Sabrina Ionescu scored 17 points, with six assists and three steals, Pauline Astier scored 14, and reserve Marine Johannes 13.
For the Lynx, Kayla McBride scored 16, Napheesa Collier 14, Courtney Williams 12 and Natasha Williams 11.
Miles converted a three-point play for a 69-67 Lynx lead with 8:18 left. Stewart responded with a 3-pointer on New York's following possession and the Liberty never trailed again.
New York outscored the Lynx 23-12 the rest of the way.
Despite the loss, Minnesota retained the WNBA’s top seed while the Liberty moved up to sixth.
New York (25-16) has won eight of its last 11. The Lynx (31-10) have dropped three straight for the first time this season.
