Historical Night for Rhyne Howard in WNBA: Sets New Record in Victory Against Dallas Wings
Atlanta Dream Secure Playoff Spot with Rhyne Howard's Historic Performance
The Atlanta Dream solidified their position at the top of the Eastern Conference with a dominating win over the Dallas Wings on Friday night. With a score of 100-78, the Dream improved to a 25-14 record, securing a playoff spot in the process.
Rhyne Howard, the team's star player, delivered a historic performance that put the Wings to the sword. Howard scored 24 points, made 6 three-pointers, and set a career-high with 6 blocks, becoming the first player in WNBA history to achieve this remarkable feat.
Howard's impressive outing also saw her record 5 assists and 4 rebounds, playing a total of 37 minutes in the game. Her performance was so noteworthy that it caught the attention of the NBA, who posted a tweet about her achievement on August 30, 2025.
The Dream's head coach during the 2025 WNBA season, Karl Smesko, will be delighted with Howard's performance, which clinched a playoff spot for the team. Other key contributors for Atlanta included Allisha Gray, who scored 19 points and had 5 rebounds, and Brionna Jones, who added 16 points and 5 rebounds to the tally.
The second quarter was decisive for Atlanta, as they outscored Dallas 30-19 to take a commanding halftime lead. Te-Hina Paopao also had a strong game, scoring 14 points and dishing out 8 assists.
Five players scored in double-digits for Atlanta, demonstrating the team's depth and versatility. The Dream will look to build on this win when they take on the Connecticut Sun on the road on Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. ET.
Brittney Griner also contributed to the win, scoring 11 points and dishing out 2 assists for Atlanta. The Dream are currently one game ahead of the New York Liberty and 4.5 games ahead of the Indiana Fever in the Eastern Conference standings, setting them up well for a deep playoff run.
