Rhyne Howard Makes WNBA History With Nine Threes in Dream’s Dominant Win
In one of the most electrifying performances in WNBA history, Rhyne Howard etched her name into the record books on Sunday night, drilling nine three-pointers to tie the league’s single-game record. Her remarkable shooting display led the Atlanta Dream to a commanding 89-80 victory over the Chicago Sky, reigniting conversation about her star power in the league.
It wasn’t just a win — it was a statement.
💣 Howard’s Historic Heat Check
From the opening tip, Howard looked locked in. She sank her first three from the wing just minutes into the game, and it quickly became clear: she had that look in her eye.
By halftime, the 2022 WNBA Rookie of the Year had already buried six threes, keeping the Dream’s offense red-hot and the Sky defense scrambling.
Then, in the third quarter, she matched the WNBA record of nine made threes — a feat previously achieved by Kristi Toliver (2018) and Ariadna (Katie) Douglas (2012). Howard finished with 28 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in just over 30 minutes of play.
“I was just taking what the defense gave me,” Howard said postgame. “I felt good in rhythm and didn’t want to force anything — my teammates kept feeding me, and the shots kept falling.”
🚨 A Rising Star’s Coming-Out Party
This performance wasn’t a fluke — it was the culmination of Howard’s steady rise over the last two seasons.
After earning All-Star honors and ROY accolades in her debut season, Howard has emerged as the Dream’s clear leader, both on and off the court. Her ability to stretch defenses, attack off the dribble, and defend multiple positions makes her one of the WNBA’s most complete young stars.
And Sunday night’s game only reinforced what fans and analysts have been saying for months: Howard is the future face of the league.
🏹 Atlanta’s Offense Clicks
While Howard’s shooting stole the spotlight, the Dream’s entire roster stepped up in the team’s bounce-back win.
Veteran Allisha Gray chipped in 17 points, providing stability and tempo control in key stretches. Tina Charles grabbed 10 rebounds and anchored the paint, while the team’s defensive rotations disrupted Chicago’s offensive rhythm throughout the second half.
The Dream, now 7–5 on the season, moved into third place in the Eastern Conference and are quickly positioning themselves as a playoff contender — one built around spacing, ball movement, and dynamic guard play.
📉 Sky Can’t Weather the Storm
The Chicago Sky, meanwhile, struggled to contain Howard and find consistent offensive flow.
Star guard Marina Mabrey tallied 19 points and 5 assists, but the team’s defense was too slow to close out on Howard’s quick-release threes. The Sky’s perimeter coverage was tested repeatedly, and Atlanta made them pay nearly every time.
Chicago’s record drops to 5–7, as they continue searching for lineup consistency in a competitive Eastern Conference.
🔥 Why This Matters
Howard’s record-tying performance is about more than just stats. It’s a reflection of the evolution of the WNBA — where shooting range, offensive freedom, and individual brilliance are reshaping the game.
With stars like Howard leading the charge, the league is seeing unprecedented growth in fan engagement, national visibility, and youth influence.
It’s also a wake-up call to opposing defenses: give Rhyne Howard space, and she’ll make you pay — historically.
🧭 What’s Next for Atlanta?
The Dream face a tough upcoming stretch, including matchups against title contenders like the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces. But with Howard playing at an MVP-caliber level, Atlanta has the firepower to surprise anyone.
For Howard, the goal remains simple: “Win games. That’s all I care about,” she said postgame.
Still, if she keeps shooting like this, she might break the record she just tied — and sooner than we think.
💬 Final Thoughts
On a night when the lights were bright and the stage was set, Rhyne Howard didn’t just show up — she showed out. Her nine three-pointers weren’t just buckets; they were a bold declaration to the rest of the league.
The Dream are rising. And Rhyne Howard is leading the way — one three at a time.