Olivia Miles Talks Being in WNBA MVP Conversations as a Rookie, 'Now I Have to Play at That Level'

Minnesota Lynx star guard Olivia Miles just enjoyed a fantastic season (19.8 PPG, 6.0 APG, 4.7 RPG) that earned her a unanimous WNBA Rookie of the Year honor and even MVP consideration, en route to leading her team to first place in the regular-season standings.

However, Minnesota's season ended abruptly via a pair of 16-point losses in a two-game sweep in the first round of the playoffs against the New York Liberty. Miles had an uncharacteristically tough series with 8.0 PPG on 20 percent shooting and just two assists overall.

During her exit interview with reporters on Thursday, Miles said she played with a "scarcity mindset" in her first-ever professional postseason experience. Miles also noted that she may have been playing not to lose, rather than being motivated by a "dire" hunger to win.

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Miles was asked about the mindset and why it appeared in the playoffs after not being present in the regular season, and she provided this thoughtful answer (1:58 mark).

"I think it was an interesting year, right? We started off with weird expectations and then we got really good, and then it was like, 'OK, I should win.'

"And then it felt like, if we didn't win, it was the end of the world almost. I was just navigating all those expectations. I also started off as a rookie who no one really thought would do what I did. Now I'm in MVP conversations and now I have to play at that level.

"And it was just like a roller-coaster expectations and emotions the whole year. And I think the playoffs kind of, again, we were playing New York, who probably isn't an eight-seed but was obviously an eight-seed at that point who were really good and at full strength. And so it was a great matchup for us.

"We drop one at home and then, you got to go win on the road. I've never done that as a rookie. Obviously, elimination game. Yeah, I think it was just a lot of stuff going on and maybe I was too focused on the wrong things and things that really didn't matter and should have really just been focused on doing the best I can and just playing carefree in those moments."

Regardless of how the season ended, Miles was sensational and one of the WNBA's best players in year one. She has an incredibly bright future and has every reason to realize it.

Miles had to deal with heavy expectations given her tremendous play and her team's performance, and that may have been a tough burden, especially in the playoffs against an unusually strong No. 8 seed. That would be tough for anyone to handle.

Ultimately, the playoffs (and the season) were a learning experience for Miles, who clearly appears ready to take those lessons, apply them, and springboard into a great sophomore season.