Rhyne Howard returned from the Paris Olympic a newly minted Bronze medalist, because of her efficiency as a member of Workforce USA’s 3×3 basketball staff.
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 aware of. In an 83-81 win over the Sky on Friday night time, Howard exploded for a season-high 30 level, capturing a scorching 10-16 from the sector.
Howard hasn’t had probably the most environment friendly season — she’s capturing 38.6% from the sector en route to fifteen.4 factors per recreation. However, the 2022 Rookie of the 12 months hasn’t misplaced confidence, and it paid off on this one.
“I all the time 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, so 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 middle 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 extra 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 night time 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 gained championships on this league,” Wright mentioned. “And so, to have any individual on the market, only a flooring normal, that may create and discover the correct individuals 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 presently sit in ninth in WNBA standings, holding an 8-17 document. 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 capturing. She additionally added 5 assists.
“I’m simply attempting to be aggressive for the staff,” 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 sector en path to 21 factors, credited Diggins-Smith for giving Seattle a combating probability.
“With out her, we’re actually not on this recreation,” Loyd mentioned. “We understood that, and from the beginning, she was aggressive on each ends of the ground. That’s what we want from her.”