Lynx clinch WNBA playoff spot with win over Aces

The Minnesota Lynx secured a WNBA playoff berth with a 98-87 victory over the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday at Target Center, improving their league-best record to 26-7. Rookie Olivia Miles led the scoring with 26 points, while Napheesa Collier added 22 points and a strong defensive performance against Aces star A'ja Wilson.

The win clinched a postseason spot for Minnesota, though the WNBA noted that while unlikely, tiebreaker scenarios still technically prevented the Lynx from securing a spot with Saturday's victory alone. The Lynx now hold a three-game lead over Golden State for the top seed with 11 regular-season games remaining. The Aces fell to 22-10 and are 2-2 through the first four games of a five-game road trip.

Minnesota's offense was balanced, with all five starters scoring in double figures. Natasha Howard contributed 17 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while Kayla McBride hit four three-pointers and finished with 15 points. Courtney Williams added 13 points and tied Miles with a team-high seven assists. The Lynx made a season-high 15 three-pointers.

The game was tightly contested early, with McBride's four first-quarter threes and Miles' buzzer-beating half-court...