The Atlanta Dream have surged to one of the WNBA’s top records early in the 2025 season, largely thanks to standout performances from former Kentucky star Rhyne Howard. On Friday night in Seattle, Howard delivered a season-high 33 points, six rebounds, and five assists to help the Dream defeat the Storm 94-87. Despite trailing by 17 points in the third quarter, Howard hit a crucial mid-range jumper with less than a minute left, extending Atlanta’s lead to nine points and sealing the win.
After a slow 1-2 start, Howard’s leadership and scoring have fueled a four-game winning streak, pushing Atlanta to a 5-2 record this season. Her role has become even more vital to the team’s early success.
Key Offseason Changes Boost Dream’s Playoff Hopes
The Dream’s promising start follows significant roster and coaching moves made during the offseason. Hiring Karl Smesko, formerly the head coach at Florida Gulf Coast, has provided fresh leadership and strategy. Additionally, the acquisition of All-Star center Britney Griner has strengthened the Dream’s inside presence. These improvements aim to break Atlanta’s playoff drought—the team has not advanced past the first round since 2018—and set the stage for a potential deep postseason run.
Howard Excels Despite Shooting Inconsistencies
Although Howard’s scoring has been impressive, her shooting percentages have yet to find consistency. Currently, she is posting career lows in field goal percentage (34.8%) and three-point shooting (27.4%). Nevertheless, she maintains a career-high scoring average of 17.6 points per game while also achieving personal bests in rebounds (5.6), assists (5.0), and steals (1.9) per contest. Earlier this season, Howard tied her career-high with 10 assists in a win over the Dallas Wings, underscoring her all-around impact.
Her sustained effort and versatility demonstrate her ability to lead the Atlanta Dream 2025 season, even as she works to improve her scoring efficiency.
Strong Supporting Cast Complements Howard’s Efforts
Howard is not alone in carrying the Dream’s offense. Britney Griner is contributing a solid 12.2 points per game, while Allisha Gray leads the team with an impressive 21.4 points per outing. Brionna Jones is also providing scoring support with 13.9 points per game. This balanced attack gives the Dream greater depth and flexibility on the court.
With a confident roster and strategic coaching in place, Atlanta is positioned to continue its strong start when they return to play on June 6 against the Connecticut Sun in a Commissioner’s Cup Game after a brief break.