The Los Angeles Sparks’ dream of qualifying for the 2025 WNBA playoffs took a serious hit after back-to-back losses against the Atlanta Dream at the Gateway Center. Rhyne Howard, the top scorer in both games, impacted the result.
Howard, after a historic performance against the Wings, continued her offensive form and netted a record nine three-pointers against the Sparks.
Rhyne Howard Reacts To Record-Setting Night
Allisha Gray was out of the squad following the knee injury for the second game in a row. But the Atlanta Dream already had it covered as the 25-year-old forward once again stepped up to drop a season-high 37 points to register the fourth straight win for the side.
She attempted 17 three-pointers in the game and made nine. With that, she made WNBA history by being the only player with multiple 9+ 3-point made outings in a season. Ironically, she fell just one made shot short of the WNBA record for most three pointers made in a single season.
“I think it forces people to put me in that conversation with the best shooters, because you can’t leave that off. Nobody’s ever done it until I got here,” Howard proudly said after the game.
RHYNE HOWARD TONIGHT 🔥
— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) September 6, 2025
• 37 POINTS
• 6 ASSISTS
• 5 REBOUNDS
• 9 THREES
• 13/26 FG
• 37 MINUTES PLAYEDpic.twitter.com/z0f6wZVsMb
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The three-time All-Star is not wrong. Her explosive scoring night was her fifth 30+ points game of her career, and now she ranks second in Dream franchise history for most 30+ points games. For her recent performances, Howard won the Player of the Week award for August’s final week.
Dream Offensive Style Suits Rhyne Howard’s Gameplay
The Dream side stands second in the league standings with a solid 28-14 record and relies heavily on its offense for the wins. Coach Karl Smesko’s calls for inside-out offense, taking advantage of its towering forward lineup of Britteney Griner, Rhyne Howard, and Naz Hillmon. Add a potent playmaker, Allisha Gray, in the mix, and fans get wholesome offensive play.
“I knew it was going to be great for me when everybody was like, ‘Oh, he likes threes and layups,’ and everybody knows I like threes. But it’s been working. Of course, I’m going to get them up, but the fact that I can still continue to hit them consistently is the most important part,” Howard reflected on the team’s gameplay.
The franchise is aiming for its first championship and will rely on its offensive star to counter the top contenders.