Olivia Miles logged 11 PTS, 12 REB & 8 AST to become the third rookie in WNBA History to record a double-double in an All-Star game.
The Minnesota Lynx had a strong showing at the 2026 WNBA All-Star weekend in Chicago. Three current Lynx players – Olivia Miles, Courtney Williams, and Natasha Howard – played in Saturday's game, alongside former Minnesota players Natisha Hiedeman, Bridget Carlton, and Jessica Shepard.
Olivia Miles was the standout performer for Team Spoon, playing 24 minutes and scoring 11 points on perfect shooting from the field. She also finished two assists shy of a triple-double. Miles has earned her spot in the limelight this season, averaging 19.3 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game.
Courtney Williams played 17 minutes and scored 12 points with seven assists, earning an A- performance grade according to ESPN. Williams has been as good as ever in her third year with the team, averaging 15.3 PPG, 4.2 APG, and 5.4 RPG.
Natasha Howard played 23 minutes, scoring eight points with four rebounds. Howard struggled the most, shooting 3-of-10 from the field and 2-of-7 from three. However, her weak performance is not cause for concern, as the return of Napheesa Collier after missing the first 27 games of the season due to ankle surgery is sure to impact her season stats.
Former Lynx players also made their presence felt all weekend. Natisha Hiedeman, who participated in the State Farm three-point contest, has started all 29 games for Seattle this season, averaging 15.6 PPG and 4.6 APG on 45% from the field and 34% from three.
Bridget Carlton performed much better in the contest, making it to the final round with the Wings' Azzi Fudd. Carlton has doubled her PPG total from her final season in Minnesota, averaging 13.7 PPG and 3.8 RPG on 40% from the field and 37% from three.
Jessica Shepard scored a quiet seven points, and tacked on five rebounds and assists in her 18 minutes of play. Shepard has broken out into a star, averaging 14.9 PPG – nearly seven more than her final year in Minnesota.
Minnesota's player development was the weekend's defining theme. Current and former Lynx alike showcased the franchise's ability to develop talent. With Miles, Williams, Collier, and Howard still in their prime, that likely won't change in the future.
The Minnesota Lynx are looking to build on their strong showing at the 2026 WNBA All-Star weekend. With their player development on full display, the team is confident in their ability to continue producing talented players. The next test for the Lynx will come in the second half of the season, as they look to make a deep playoff run.
Source: Yahoo Sports