Rhyne Howard scores 43 after All-Star snub: ‘Put some respect on my name’

Rhyne Howard wants the respect that she’s earned.

After being snubbed for the WNBA All-Star game this year, Howard put up a career-high 43 points in Atlanta’s 112-84 win over Los Angeles. It’s the second-most points by an Atlanta Dream player behind Betty Lennox in 2008.

She also had two rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. She also nailed six three-pointers.

“It felt great. I was already mad and then just coming into this game and everything was going in like I said at halftime. And it just kept flowing,” Howard told sideline reporter Autumn Johnson after the win. “There was some words said on the other end so it just kept me going. … They need to put some respect on my name.”

Rhyne Howard was on fire today 🔥

Howard finished with 43 PTS, just one-point shy for setting a new @AtlantaDream franchise record for single-points in a game #MoreThanGame pic.twitter.com/XcbQJDEtrg

— WNBA (@WNBA) July 2, 2023

Howard was named to the All-Star game last year, and has been decidedly better this year, averaging 16.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists.

By the end of the first quarter, Howard had 17 points.

“[I want] respect,” Howard said. “I’ve been here, I made a statement last year, I’m continuing to make that statement this year, so they need to put some respect on my name.”

It was the fifth 40-point game this season, with all coming from different players. Of the 26 total 40-point games in the league’s history, 18.5 percent have come this season.