Miles Out as Fever, Lynx Clash for Seeding
Miles Out as Fever, Lynx Clash for Seeding
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Key Points
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Olivia Miles ranked eighth in the WNBA in scoring at 19.8 points per game and seventh in assists at 6.0, while also being viewed as the presumptive Rookie of the Year and a potential MVP-vote recipient.
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Fever coach Stephanie White said Miles’ absence would significantly alter Minnesota’s offense and Indiana’s defensive preparation: “It changes coverage. It changes who their primary ball handler is. Probably the actions that they run.”
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Indiana entered the game as the No. 5 seed, with only two regular-season games remaining and what Yahoo Sports described as a “razor-thin margin for error” in its effort to improve its playoff position.
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In Indiana’s preceding loss to Washington, Caitlin Clark led the Fever with 25 points but shot 6-for-20 from the field and 3-for-10 from three-point range; she also recorded five assists, two rebounds, two steals and a block in 34 minutes.
The Minnesota Lynx will face the Indiana Fever on Tuesday, September 22 at 8:10 p.m. ET without their star point guard. CBS News reports that Olivia Miles has been ruled out with a left calf injury despite participating in the team's morning shootaround. The matchup carries major playoff implications—Minnesota entered at 32-10 and can clinch the No. 1 seed, while Indiana at 27-14 is fighting to stay in contention for a top-four position.
Miles ranks eighth in WNBA scoring at 19.8 points per game and seventh in assists at 6.0. CBS Sports notes the Lynx are aiming to secure the top seed, while Indiana's Caitlin Clark is listed as probable with a back issue after averaging 25.3 points and 9.3 assists since the All-Star break. The teams will meet again Thursday in the regular-season finale.
Miles' Absence Reshapes Lynx Offense
Olivia Miles' injury forces Minnesota to adjust its entire offensive system. Fever coach Stephanie White said the change will affect coverage and ball-handling duties. "It changes coverage. It changes who their primary ball handler is," White explained, noting the Lynx will likely run different plays without their leading passer. Miles was viewed as the presumptive Rookie of the Year and a potential MVP-vote recipient before the injury.
Fever's Razor-Thin Playoff Margin
Indiana entered as the No. 5 seed with only two regular-season games remaining. Central Oregon Daily describes the situation as having a "razor-thin margin for error" in the Fever's effort to improve seeding. A loss Tuesday would leave the team dependent on Thursday's finale to climb the bracket. Indiana's recent performance has been inconsistent—Clark led the Fever with 25 points in their preceding loss to Washington but shot just 6-for-20 from the field.
Clark's Status Uncertain Heading Into Matchup
Caitlin Clark is listed as probable with a back issue but has been playing at an elite level. Since the All-Star break, she has averaged 25.3 points and 9.3 assists per game. Clark also recorded five assists, two rebounds, two steals and a block in 34 minutes against Washington despite the inefficient shooting night. Her availability will determine Indiana's offensive firepower against Minnesota's elite defense.
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