Why is olivia miles not playing tonight

On 29 September 2026, it was confirmed that Notre Dame star guard Olivia Miles will not be participating in tonight’s season-opening exhibition game. The coaching staff announced that Miles is being held out as a precautionary measure to manage her workload following her extensive rehabilitation from a previous knee injury. While Miles has been a full participant in non-contact practice sessions throughout the preseason, the medical team has determined that she is not yet ready for the physical intensity of live game competition. The decision is part of a long-term strategy to ensure she reaches peak performance levels before the start of the rigorous Atlantic Coast Conference schedule. Fans and analysts have been closely monitoring her status, but the program emphasized that this absence is strictly a maintenance step rather than a setback. Miles remains a central figure in the team’s championship aspirations, and the staff is prioritizing her long-term health over immediate availability in early-season contests. She is expected to be re-evaluated by the medical staff later this week.