Miles passes Bueckers, Wilson on WNBA rookie scoring list
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Azzi Fudd (Dallas Wings) announced she will undergo arthroscopic surgery on her right knee and miss the remainder of the season, finishing her rookie year averaging 13.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.7 steals per game after becoming the first rookie ever to win the WNBA 3-point shooting contest at All-Star weekend.
- Olivia Miles moved into third place on the WNBA's all-time rookie scoring list with 676 points — passing Paige Bueckers and A'ja Wilson — after scoring 20 in the Lynx's 77-66 win over the Golden State Valkyries, averaging 19.9 points per game on pace to break Caitlin Clark's rookie record of 769 with seven regular-season games plus the postseason remaining after Minnesota clinched a playoff spot.
- Kiki Rice returned from a left ankle sprain to score 19 points on 55.6% shooting (3 of 4 from three) against Washington, with Tempo coach Sandy Brondello calling her a 'franchise player' despite the team's 12-game losing streak.
- Flau'jae Johnson came back from a left ankle sprain (Aug. 8 vs. Portland) and reached 100 career assists in her Aug. 16 return against Chicago, sitting in the WNBA's top 20 in steals.
- Awa Fam scored 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting (4-of-8 from three) with nine rebounds against Portland on Aug. 14, part of Seattle's 'three towers' frontcourt with Ezi Magbegor and Dominique Malonga that coach Sonia Raman is working to deploy more often.
- Sydney Taylor returned from a five-game absence caused by a left groin injury, playing 17 minutes and scoring 9 points against the Liberty on Aug. 18 after previously dropping 14 points in 17 minutes against the Mercury on Aug. 3.
Why it matters: With Fudd done for the year and Miles sitting second in MVP odds at +1000 (FanDuel) behind A'ja Wilson, the Rookie of the Year race is effectively over with a month left in the regular season. Miles is on pace to break Caitlin Clark's rookie scoring record of 769 — a milestone that would shift the league's rookie benchmark. Every other top-six rookie in the class of 2027 has missed games this month, leaving Miles as the lone fully healthy top-tier performer.
Ask SkimNews
