Rhyne Howard returned from the Paris Olympic a newly minted Bronze medalist, due to her efficiency as a member of Group USA’s 3×3 basketball crew.
However, it didn’t take lengthy for her to re-adjust to five-on-five, the type of basketball the 6 ‘2 guard is most conversant in. In an 83-81 win over the Sky on Friday evening, Howard exploded for a season-high 30 level, taking pictures a scorching 10-16 from the sphere.
Howard hasn’t had essentially the most environment friendly season — she’s taking pictures 38.6% from the sphere en route to fifteen.4 factors per sport. However, the 2022 Rookie of the Yr hasn’t misplaced confidence, and it paid off on this one.
“I at all times say shooters shoot,” mentioned Howard, who hit 5-9 three-pointers. “As soon as I see one go in, then the following couple are going to be warmth checks, in order that they proceed to go in.”
Tina Charles saved the day for the Dream
Although Howard was the sport’s main scorer, it was veteran heart Tina Charles who emerged the hero.
After Dream guard Jordin Canada sunk a pair of free throws, Atlanta led by 3 with 10 seconds to play. Then, Skylar Diggins-Smith — who had a season-high 29 factors — missed a three-point try to tie issues up, however, Jewell Loyd received the rebound and hit a 3 of her personal.
The sport gave the impression to be headed to additional time, when Charles nailed a game-winner on the buzzer to ship the win for Atlanta.
Charles, the third-leading scorer in WNBA historical past, completed the evening with 16 factors and seven rebounds and was celebratory postgame.
“It was only a nice really feel,” Charles mentioned. “Only a nice win.”
Allisha Grey (19 factors) and Naz Hillmon (13 rebounds, 6 factors) have been additionally standouts for the Dream.
Jordin Canada, who’s been out with a damaged finger since July 2nd, scored 10 factors, all of which got here within the fourth quarter. Dream head coach Tanisha Wright praised her contributions.
“She’s any individual who has expertise on this league who’s received championships on this league,” Wright mentioned. “And so, to have any individual on the market, only a ground common, that may create and discover the precise folks on the proper time, and various things like that and having expertise, having the ability to go to her for the final shot.”
With the win, the Dream at present sit in ninth in WNBA standings, holding an 8-17 file. The playoffs are nonetheless inside attain — they’re two video games behind the Chicago Sky for eighth place — however Atlanta must string collectively some wins within the closing 15 video games of the WNBA season.
For the Storm, Skylar Diggins-Smith confirmed out within the loss
Diggins-Smith was aggressive from the outset and set a brand new season excessive of 29 factors on 11-21 taking pictures. She additionally added 5 assists.
“I’m simply attempting to be aggressive for the crew,” Diggins-Smith mentioned after the sport, noting she navigates a fragile stability between scoring and facilitating.
Jewell Loyd, who shot simply 7-19 from the sphere en path to 21 factors, credited Diggins-Smith for giving Seattle a preventing likelihood.
“With out her, we’re actually not on this sport,” Loyd mentioned. “We understood that, and from the beginning, she was aggressive on each ends of the ground. That’s what we’d like from her.”
