‘Part of the Business’: Diamond Miller Returns to Minnesota in Dallas Wings’ Loss to Lynx

Grant AfsethSeptember 3, 2025October 21, 2025no comment

Diamond Miller, Dallas Wings, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

Photo by David Berding/Getty Images

Dallas Wings forward Diamond Miller’s night began with a familiar welcome on Monday. Before she even stepped onto the floor, the Minnesota Lynx honored their former No. 2 overall pick with a video tribute at Target Center. The highlight reel showcased her rookie-year flashes and early promise in a Lynx uniform.

When she checked into the game for the first time, the crowd rose with a loud ovation, cheering the player who had once been one of their own. For Miller, the moment of walking through the visitors’ locker room was a reminder of how quickly things can change in professional basketball.

“I guess it was a little weird, but it’s also part of the business,” Miller said. “You’ve got to get used to this type of stuff happening.”

The emotions were also about reconnecting with the fans who supported her through the early highs and the frustrating setbacks of her time in Minnesota.

“Yeah, it’s cool. I’m thankful for the fans here,” Miller said. “They were great. And I’m also thankful to be a Wing.”

Back Where It All Began

Miller’s roots with the Lynx stretch back to the 2023 WNBA Draft, when Minnesota made her the No. 2 overall selection. She quickly delivered, starting every game as a rookie and averaging 12.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Her performance earned her Rookie of the Month honors in July, a place on the WNBA All-Rookie Team, and cemented her as one of just three Lynx rookies — alongside Napheesa Collier and Maya Moore — to record at least 380 points, 110 rebounds, 30 steals, and 10 blocks in a single season.

That initial momentum gave the impression of a long-term cornerstone, but injuries stalled her trajectory. In 2024, she played just 21 games and averaged 2.9 points. The following year, her role diminished further, and by early 2025, she was logging roughly 10 minutes a game. In total, she appeared in 78 games with Minnesota, averaging 7.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists.

When she returned on Monday, those memories were fresh, but she also carried a new identity — one shaped in Dallas since February.

Adjusting to the Dallas Wings

Miller’s move to Dallas came in one of the most notable trades of the midseason deadline. The Lynx shipped her, Karlie Samuelson, and a 2027 second-round pick to the Wings in exchange for DiJonai Carrington, the 2024 Most Improved Player and an All-Defensive First Team selection. For Minnesota, it was about bolstering its guard depth for a championship push, especially with Napheesa Collier managing an ankle injury. For Dallas, it was about adding a versatile forward who could defend multiple positions, push the pace, and still have upside to grow.

For Miller, the trade has meant stepping into a system with different demands, where pace, physicality, and aggressiveness are non-negotiable.

“Just learning the new system, finding my spots has been something I’ve been learning, and just being a dog,” Miller said. “In this offense, you have to be a dog, attacking almost 24/7. Learning that type of stuff, kind of rewiring my mind in a sense.”

Dallas’ injury problems have made the transition more difficult, shuffled lineups, and disrupted rhythm. Miller explained that while the Wings understand their schemes, the hardest part has been learning each other’s tendencies on the fly.

“I’d say the biggest thing is the chemistry aspect,” Miller said. “We’re still learning what each person does, so that part can be a bit interesting. But at the end of the day, basketball is basketball. We know the concepts and defenses, but it’s more the chemistry aspect, I feel like.”

She added that on this ongoing four-game road trip, the Wings have made a point of setting consistent habits that can outlast adversity. Dallas has dealt with a significant number of injuries, resulting in playing with eight players for consecutive games, with many active players on hardship contracts.

“Yeah, definitely,” Miller said. “Communication and competing every possession, on offense and defense, just really competing and getting after it as a team. That’s what we strive to do every time we step on the court.”

Wings head coach Chris Koclanes said he has admired how Miller has handled the adjustment to a new team, city and system.

“I’ve appreciated her stick-to-itiveness,” Koclanes said. “To come in with a new group — she’d been with Minnesota for a while, so she was familiar with things — but here everything was brand new. New group, new terminology, everything just kind of different. That can be hard to find your footing. But I’ve liked how she’s continued to show up day in and day out, add to our culture in the locker room, and compete at a high level whenever her number is called and she gets an opportunity.”

Monday’s Result

The night still belonged to Minnesota on the scoreboard. Collier’s 25 points and Hiedeman’s 25-point, 10-assist double-double powered the Lynx to their 32nd win of the season. They shot 55% from the field and connected on 14 threes at a 58% clip.

Dallas, meanwhile, was led by Bueckers’ 17 points. Miller, Siegrist, and Okonkwo each added 12, but the Wings fell to 9-32.

For Miller, though, the game meant more than the numbers. It was both a homecoming and a fresh reminder of how quickly careers can turn in the WNBA — and how much opportunity still lies ahead.

Dallas continues its road trip Thursday against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center in San Francisco, with tipoff scheduled for 9 p.m. CT. The Wings will then visit the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday at 6 p.m. CT.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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