Rhyne Howard absolutely exploded for 23 points, eight assists, and six rebounds Wednesday night, powering the Atlanta Dream to a huge 96-82 win over the Phoenix Mercury. Phoenix just traded for Kelsey Plum, so they’re in full-on win-now mode and fighting for a postseason spot, but Howard was simply too much for them. She dominated the game and put the Dream back in the win column.
Howard’s First-Quarter Flurry Stunned Phoenix
The Mercury had no answer for Howard from the jump. She wasn’t just good in the opening quarter, she was perfect. Howard started the game 4-for-4 from the field, hitting all three of her shots from deep and adding a restricted area layup and two free throws. She looked like the player who was tearing it up earlier in the season. Head coach Karl Smesko saw it too. He said it felt really good “seeing Rhy play with some joy again,” and that “she was back to herself, where she was aggressive, she was looking for opportunities.” That’s the Rhyne Howard we all know.
From July Slump to Dominance: Howard’s Honest Take
This kind of performance is exactly what Howard needed to re-establish her dominance after a tough July. She averaged just 13.6 points, four assists, and four rebounds per game last month, shooting a woeful 35.7 percent from the field. Howard herself didn’t shy away from her struggles. “Of course I felt like I’ve been in a slump because I was,” she said after the game. “I’m very aware of what was going on so we don’t have to pretend like that wasn’t a thing.” Even through that dip, her attacking never wavered. She brought in other pieces, like Angel Reese and Allisha Gray, so the team could still win even if her shot wasn’t falling. Howard knows she does “other things” too, like assisting, defending, and getting steals, always striving for “a continuous impact on the game.”
Tonight, though, the shot was falling, and the impact was undeniable. If Howard can keep this fire going, playing with that aggressive joy, the Dream could be a problem. This is the Rhyne Howard Atlanta needs to see if they’re gonna raise a banner.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Swish Appeal.
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