Lynx rally falls short in Las Vegas

The Minnesota Lynx have the early favorite for Rookie of the Year; the Las Vegas Aces have the reigning MVP.

Olivia Miles made two huge shots for the Lynx in the final minute, but two free throws by A’ja Wilson put the Aces ahead for good in a 100-97 win Saturday in Sin City.

Miles scored 12 of her career-high 29 points in the fourth quarter — 10 in the final 2:23.

“When you have a rookie like that, maybe not playing her best, maybe turning it over, whatever it is, not defending the way we need her to defend and then just kind of willing yourself at the end and willing the team at the end to give us a chance that’s a special player,” coach Cheryl Reeve said.

Miles 3-pointer with 25 seconds left gave the Lynx a 97-96 lead, but Wilson countered with a pair of free throws less than five seconds later to put the Aces back up by one.

A stepback triple by Miles was long with seven seconds left, and after a couple free throws for Vegas, a desperation heave at the buzzer by Courtney Williams was off the mark and the Lynx (10-3) lost for the first time in nine games. Las Vegas (10-3) has won six straight.

Miles somewhat downplayed her offensive success postgame, noting she committed six turnovers. “A lot of them were unforced, but I’ve giving myself grace. I got to learn. It’s my first time playing against them, feeling the pressure of the game. … I’m definitely going to take this one and learn from it, take the good with the bad. It’s not always as bad as you think it is and it’s not always as good as you think it is. Just stay level headed.”

Down by 15 late in the first half, Minnesota methodically chipped away with a Kayla McBride 3-pointer making it a two-point game with 2:47 left. She finished with 19 points.

After a couple Aces’ free throws, Miles scored on a finger roll. Then, after Wilson made a jumper at the other end, Miles responded with a reverse layup and it was 93-91 Las Vegas.

Kayla McBride got a defensive rebound off a Las Vegas miss and Miles drove the lane for a layup and drew a foul on Wilson. The No. 2 pick in this year’s draft calmly sank the ensuing free throw with 48 seconds left and the Lynx 94-93, its first advantage since 4-3.

A questionable foul on McBride — one which was upheld by video review but Reeve said was a misinterpretation of a rule — led to three free throws by Jewell Loyd for a 96-94 Aces lead moments later.

Natasha Howard had 22 points and nine rebounds for the Lynx before fouling out.

She said Minnesota picked up its defensive intensity and was more physical with the Aces after halftime. “We dictated where we wanted them to be on the defensive end. That’s how it was easy to get steals, stops and getting rebounds and pushing the ball. We should have started that off in the first half instead of the second half and we wouldn’t be in this predicament of talking about a loss. … Vegas threw the first punch, but we got to be ready at all times.”

The Lynx return home to host expansion Portland on Monday night.