Olivia Miles faces backlash over Clark post
Olivia Miles, a rookie guard for the Minnesota Lynx, faced online criticism in August 2026 after reports said she liked a social media post comparing her favorably with Caitlin Clark.
One fan wrote that Miles would never be Clark, while others questioned the reaction. The original video focused on Miles and discussed her career and rookie season without mentioning Clark.
Olivia Miles post fueled online debate
The post that triggered the reaction used Clark’s name to promote a video centered on Miles. Some social media users treated Miles’ report as evidence that she supported the comparison.
Rachel DeMita later clarified that the video covered Miles’ career and rookie season without mentioning Clark. That distinction shifted attention toward how headlines and social media framing shaped the response.
Olivia Miles entered WNBA as No. 2 pick
Minnesota selected Miles with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. The 5-foot-10 guard arrived after playing her final collegiate season at TCU, following a stellar multi-year career at Notre Dame.
She entered the draft as a three-time AP Second-Team All-American. At TCU, Miles averaged 19.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.6 assists while starting all 38 games.
Olivia Miles delivered strong rookie numbers
By mid-August, Miles averaged about 20 points, nearly five rebounds, and approximately six assists per game. Those numbers made her an immediate contributor during her first professional season with Minnesota.
Minnesota entered its August 19 matchup against Golden State as the WNBA’s top-seeded team. The Lynx held a three-game lead over the Valkyries, giving Miles strong results alongside her production.
Olivia Miles collected rookie honors
The WNBA named Miles Rookie of the Month for July after she averaged 20.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.0 assists. The honor continued her opening stretch during the professional season.
Miles had also earned Rookie of the Month recognition for May and June. Her June award followed averages of 21.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.6 assists, further extending early-season consistency.
Olivia Miles became an All-Star starter
Miles became a WNBA All-Star starter during her rookie season, joining Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, and Kelsey Mitchell as four guards selected to start the July 25 game in Chicago.
Miles finished second among guards with a 3.5 weighted score. She ranked first in media voting, third among players, and fifth among fans when the league calculated final starter results.
Caitlin Clark also started All-Star game
Clark earned a starting spot in the 2026 All-Star Game, marking her third selection. She received 1,023,321 fan votes, the second-highest total among WNBA players in the final results.
Clark ranked second among guards in fan voting, third with the media, and 11th among players. The weighted formula placed her third among guards, with an overall score of 4.5.
Caitlin Clark kept adding milestones
By August, Clark averaged roughly 22 points and more than eight assists per game. Indiana had also moved into the upper half of the standings during a stretch of its season.
Clark became the fastest WNBA player to reach 700 assists, reaching that mark in 83 games. On August 14 against Dallas, she recorded at least 20 points and 10 assists.
Miles and Clark offered different profiles
Miles entered the WNBA as a rookie in 2026, while Clark played her third professional season with Indiana. Their career stages shaped how fans and analysts compared the two guards.
Miles maintained a higher shooting efficiency for much of the season, while Clark carried a higher usage rate. Their statistical profiles supported comparison without making either player’s role, workload, or path identical.
A’ja Wilson led the MVP discussion
A’ja Wilson entered 2026 as the four-time Most Valuable Player after winning in 2020, 2022, 2024, and 2025. Another award would extend the record she already holds in league history.
Miles joined the discussion because Minnesota led the standings, and she produced strong rookie numbers. Clark improved her case during Indiana’s better stretch, giving voters distinct statistical profiles to consider.
Fun fact: Olivia Miles is a self-described video game nerd who relaxes with her cat, Bean. Apparently, even elite point guards need a furry teammate who ignores the box score.
Minnesota record strengthened Miles’ case
Minnesota held the league’s best record in mid-August, while Golden State occupied second place and Indiana remained behind both teams. That standings position gave Miles results during her rookie season.
Team position has often influenced MVP discussions without determining the award. Wilson won in 2024 when Las Vegas finished fourth and again in 2025 when the Aces ended the season second.
Olivia Miles reshaped Minnesota’s backcourt
Miles joined a Minnesota lineup featuring Natasha Howard, Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, and Napheesa Collier. Her passing gave the Lynx another primary creator and created scoring opportunities for experienced teammates.
Miles developed a pick-and-roll partnership with Howard while the Lynx used her playmaking beside Williams and McBride. Her arrival gave Head Coach Cheryl Reeve a point guard option for 2026.
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Olivia Miles comparisons predated backlash
The Clark comparison circulated before the August media dispute. In June, Natasha Howard praised Miles as a true point guard, and online users interpreted the comment as an indirect comparison.
Howard did not mention Clark in that remark, and her intent was never confirmed. The episode showed how quickly comments about Miles became part of online conversations surrounding Indiana’s guard.
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Olivia Miles and Caitlin Clark have different careers, numbers, and playing styles, yet comparisons keep following them. Do you think those comparisons are fair? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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