Rhyne Howard’s 36-Point Explosion Powers Dream Past Sun in Dominant Win

The Atlanta Dream continued their strong early-season form Tuesday night, securing a convincing 91-75 win over the Connecticut Sun at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, to extend their recent surge to four victories in their last five games.

Much of the spotlight belonged to guard Rhyne Howard, who delivered one of the most explosive scoring performances of the WNBA season while overwhelming Connecticut’s defense from beyond the arc.

The Dream controlled the tempo for most of the night, using perimeter shooting and balanced scoring to steadily build separation before pulling away in the second half.

With the victory, Atlanta improved to 6-2 on the season, reinforcing its emergence as one of the early contenders in the league standings.

1. Howard’s Shooting Masterclass

The standout performance from Rhyne Howard was defined by efficiency, range, and volume, as she finished with 36 points on 12-for-24 shooting from the field. Her most damaging work came from deep, where she knocked down eight three-pointers on 19 attempts, repeatedly stretching Connecticut’s defense and forcing adjustments that never fully took hold. Howard also contributed across the stat sheet with three steals, two rebounds, and two assists in 37 minutes, showcasing her impact on both ends of the floor. It marked the third time in her career that she has made at least eight three-pointers in a single game, underscoring her growing reputation as one of the league’s premier perimeter scorers.

2. A Balanced Supporting Cast Steps Up

While the night belonged to Rhyne Howard, Atlanta also benefited from strong contributions across the roster that helped sustain momentum throughout the game. Allisha Gray added 26 points on efficient 9-for-17 shooting, providing consistent secondary scoring that prevented Connecticut from keying solely on Howard. Angel Reese delivered a double-double performance with 12 points and 13 rebounds, giving the Dream a physical presence inside and helping control the glass on both ends. The combined effort from Atlanta’s core rotation allowed the team to maintain pressure even when rotations shifted and shooting stretches fluctuated.

3. Momentum Building Ahead of Key Matchup

The win further solidified Atlanta’s strong start to the season and highlighted the continued development of Rhyne Howard as the team’s primary offensive engine. Howard entered the game averaging 16.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, and her breakout performance against Connecticut marked a significant spike in production compared to her season norms. Originally selected first overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft, Howard has steadily grown into her role as a franchise cornerstone after earning All-Star honors early in her career. Looking ahead, Atlanta will face a high-profile test against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Thursday, a matchup that will provide another opportunity to measure the Dream’s progress against one of the league’s most closely watched teams.