Olivia Miles scored 26 points, Napheesa Collier added 22 and Minnesota turned a sharp second-half surge into another statement win over Las Vegas.
Olivia Miles saved her biggest stretch for the fourth quarter, but the Minnesota Lynx had already done enough damage by then. Miles scored 10 of her 26 points in the final period, Napheesa Collier delivered 22 points and Minnesota pulled away from the Las Vegas Aces for a 98-87 victory Saturday at Target Center, securing a WNBA playoff berth and improving to a league-best 26-7.
Miles Gives Minnesota the Early Edge
The game opened at a pace that suited both teams. Kayla McBride knocked down four 3-pointers in the first quarter, while Miles answered with steady creation and timely scoring. The period stayed tight throughout before Miles provided the first memorable blow of the afternoon.
With the clock winding down, Miles banked in a shot from just beyond half court at the buzzer, sending Minnesota into the second quarter with a 28-25 advantage. It was the kind of shot that changed the feel of the building without changing the balance of the game.
Minnesota stretched the margin to six early in the second, but Las Vegas kept finding ways to stay attached. Jackie Young converted three free throws after being fouled beyond the arc, then Young and NaLyssa Smith each added two more from the line as the Aces closed within one.
Minnesota answered before halftime. Collier found Miles at the top of the key, and the rookie guard buried another 3-pointer to send the Lynx into the break ahead 49-45.
Juhasz Sparks the Third-Quarter Separation
The game remained within reach for Las Vegas until Minnesota's reserves helped create the first real gap.
Dorka Juhasz made an impact on consecutive possessions late in the third quarter. She first found Courtney Williams on the wing for a 3-pointer, then Williams returned the favor by feeding Juhasz for a 3 from the top of the key. The back-to-back shots pushed Minnesota's lead to 66-55.
The Aces did not disappear. Young converted a three-point play as Las Vegas responded with a 7-0 run, cutting into the margin before Minnesota's stars took control again.
Collier scored seven straight points, including consecutive 3-pointers off feeds from Miles, restoring Minnesota's cushion and shifting the game back toward the home team.
Miles Takes Over as Aces Run Out of Answers
Las Vegas needed a strong fourth quarter from its stars, but Minnesota continued to make the Aces work for every possession. Young led Las Vegas with 23 points, while A'ja Wilson finished with 16 points and eight rebounds.
Minnesota created another separation when Jewell Loyd was assessed a flagrant foul on Kayla McBride's jump shot. McBride converted all three free throws, and Collier followed with two more, pushing the Lynx ahead 85-72.
From there, Miles took over. Her 10 fourth-quarter points kept Las Vegas from making another serious push and gave Minnesota the closer it needed after the Aces had repeatedly threatened to make the game a one-possession affair.
Natasha Howard also supplied an important all-around performance for Minnesota, finishing with 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
Lynx Secure Another Postseason Trip
The victory gave Minnesota its 26th win of the season and officially punched its ticket to the playoffs. More importantly, the Lynx handled a Las Vegas team that had enough offensive firepower to punish even small defensive lapses.
Young kept the Aces competitive. Wilson battled through a difficult offensive night by her standards. But Minnesota had too many answers, and when the game tightened, Miles and Collier supplied the decisive ones.
The Lynx now enter the final stretch of the regular season with the league's best record and a playoff place secured. For Las Vegas, the 11-point loss was another reminder that Minnesota remains the standard it will have to navigate if the two teams meet again when the games carry even greater weight.
