Rhyne Howard Ties WNBA Three-Point Record and Leads the Dream
Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard tied the WNBA record for most three-pointers in a single game, sinking nine three-pointers on Friday. Howard became the first player in league history to achieve this feat more than once. Howard finished the game with 37 points, leading the Dream to a victory over the Los Angeles Sparks with a score of 104-85. This win secured Atlanta home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Howard’s performance was impressive, with 13 of 26 field goals, including 9 of 17 from the three-point line. Previously, he had achieved the same number of three-pointers, nine, on June 13, in an 88-70 victory against the Chicago Sky. Both games were played in Atlanta. In total, there have been six games, including playoffs and Commissioner’s Cup finals, where a WNBA player has made nine three-pointers.Howard, who was the first pick and Rookie of the Year in 2022, from the University of Kentucky, also highlighted the influence of the Dream’s first-year coach, Karl Smesko. Smesko’s offensive system, which was successful for many years at Florida Gulf Coast, has had a good transition in his first season in the WNBA. The Dream made a total of 19 three-pointers on Friday, tying the regular season record of the New York Liberty. The Las Vegas Aces made 23 three-pointers in a playoff game in 2022.“I think this forces people to include me in the conversation about the best shooters,” Howard said, who is in her fourth season at 25 years old. “Because you can’t leave that out. Nobody had done that until I came along.”
Rhyne Howard
“As for the system, I knew it was going to be great for me,” Howard said about playing for Smesko. “Everyone was saying, ‘He likes threes and layups.’ Everyone knows I like threes. I’m going to shoot them, but the fact that I can still consistently make them, that’s the most important part.”
Rhyne Howard
Despite missing 11 games due to an injury this season, Howard has accumulated 97 three-pointers. She missed 10 consecutive regular season games and the WNBA All-Star Game due to a knee injury, but returned on August 10.
Dream’s All-Star guard, Allisha Gray, who has 93 three-pointers this season, has missed the last two games due to a knee injury. However, this has not slowed down Atlanta, who has won six of their last seven games. The Dream (28-14) are competing for the second seed, behind the Minnesota Lynx, who have already secured first place. Las Vegas and Phoenix also have a record of 27-14. Atlanta will play its first home postseason game since September 4, 2018.“It was a remarkable game by Rhy,” Smesko said. “She feels comfortable with her shot and is aggressive, looking for good shots. When she really gets into a rhythm, she can have incredible streaks like today.”
Karl Smesko
