WNBA History Made: Dream's Rhyne Howard Shatters Season 3-Point Record

The Atlanta Dream secured a dominant 103-59 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Thursday night, a game highlighted by multiple record-breaking performances and a strong team showing after a significant break.

Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard made history by setting a new WNBA season record for 3-pointers. With her only successful 3-pointer of the game, coming with 6:45 left in the fourth quarter, Howard reached 129 three-pointers for the season. This achievement broke Sabrina Ionescu's previous record, set in 2023, and Howard accomplished this feat in an impressive 40 games. She concluded the night with 10 points.

Accompanying Howard's record-setting performance, Angel Reese delivered an outstanding game, extending her WNBA record with her 30th double-double of the season. Reese poured in 30 points on an efficient 11-of-14 shooting from the field and grabbed 10 rebounds. Playing just 25 minutes in the blowout win for the playoff-bound Dream, she finished a mere point shy of her career high.

Allisha Gray also contributed significantly, scoring 10 points and, in doing so, broke her own franchise record for points in a season, bringing her total to 782. This collective effort showcased the Dream's depth and offensive power.

This game marked Atlanta's first outing after a nearly three-week hiatus for the FIBA World Cup. Both Rhyne Howard and Angel Reese had recently returned from Germany, where they were integral members of the victorious U.S. team, bringing fresh momentum back to their WNBA campaign.

The Connecticut Sun, in contrast, struggled to keep pace. Olivia Nelson-Ododa led Connecticut with 13 points, all of which were scored in the first half. The Sun's offensive woes were particularly evident in the second half, as they were outscored 31-11 in the third quarter and 27-13 in the fourth, leading to the wide margin of defeat.

Prior to the game, the Atlanta Dream made an important announcement regarding forward Brionna Jones. The team confirmed that Jones would miss the remainder of the season due to a left leg injury, which she sustained on August 13. The Associated Press contributed to this report.