Olivia Miles Reveals Caitlin Clark’s Most Annoying Skill to Guard

Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles did not hold back when asked what makes Caitlin Clark so difficult to defend.

Appearing on The Old Man and the Three podcast, the unanimous 2026 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year named the Indiana Fever star as one of the young guards who has impressed her most.

"Obviously, Caitlin, with the shooting and her playmaking ability," Miles said.

"She's so good with her right hand attacking downhill and creating for others."

"And obviously in transition, she's deadly."

"So, it is annoying to play against, right?" Miles continued.

"Like, you got to guard her, and you got to make sure that you have bodies on her at all times and making it hard."

Miles speaks from direct experience.

In their first meeting this season, Clark posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 assists.

That night, however, the Lynx won 108-100 behind Miles' own 28-point outburst.

The rematch on September 22 told a different story.

Clark put on a masterclass at home: 27 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, and four steals.

She shot 50% from the floor, going 9-of-18, and finished with a plus-16 rating.

The Fever won 96-77 in a blowout over a shorthanded Lynx team.

Clark's 2026 season numbers explain why opposing guards dread matching up with her.

She averaged 22.3 points per game, ranking third in the WNBA.

She ranked second in the league with 8.3 assists per game.

Over the 40-game schedule, she made 114 three-pointers, fourth-most in the WNBA.

Miles herself had a stellar rookie campaign.

She averaged 19.8 points, 6.0 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals.

She started all 40 games and was the driving force behind the Lynx finishing as the best team in the Western Conference.

Miles is set to play in Season 3 of Unrivaled this upcoming year.

Clark's "basketball gravity" is what makes her playmaking so lethal, according to analysts.

Defenses must collapse on her deep shooting range, which opens up passing lanes for her teammates.

That gravity directly feeds her assist numbers.

Some critics focus on Clark's alleged flopping and complaining to referees.

But Miles made clear that the real annoyance is getting lit up by a player who can score from anywhere and find the open teammate before the defense recovers.

Clark's partnership with Dick's Sporting Goods and Foot Locker was announced this week.

Dick's signed her as its first-ever brand partner in a multi-year deal.

"Dick's Sporting Goods was always a stop before the start of any sports season when I was growing up," Clark said in the announcement.

"Being the first ever brand partner for both them and Foot Locker is a really special full-circle moment."

Ed Stack, executive chairman of Dick's Sporting Goods, said the company sees an opportunity to build on the energy around basketball.

"Caitlin has an incredible ability to inspire," Stack said.

Emily Silver, chief marketing officer at Dick's, highlighted Clark's impact on young fans.