Rhyne Howard’s rookie season continues to live up to expectations, with the former Kentucky guard throwing down 33 points in the Atlanta Dream’s 85-79 win over the Indiana Fever.
In addition to the 33 points, Howard added three rebounds and two assists.
According to Across the Timeline, Howard is the seventh player in WNBA history to score 30 or more points in a game within her first four games.
Candace Parker leads the way, having dropped 34 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in her debut game in 2008. Also on the list are Yolanda Griffith, Sabrina Ionescu, Danielle Adams, Cappie Pondexter and Kia Nurse.
WNBA players to score 30+ in one of their 1st 4 games in the league:Candace Parker (Game 1)Yolanda Griffith (Game 2)Sabrina Ionescu (Game 2)Danielle Adams (Game 3)Cappie Pondexter (Game 4)Kia Nurse (Game 4)and Rhyne Howard (Game 4).— Across the Timeline (@WBBTimeline) May 15, 2022
WNBA players to score 30+ in one of their 1st 4 games in the league:Candace Parker (Game 1)Yolanda Griffith (Game 2)Sabrina Ionescu (Game 2)Danielle Adams (Game 3)Cappie Pondexter (Game 4)Kia Nurse (Game 4)and Rhyne Howard (Game 4).
Through four games, Howard has amassed 83 total points. Only Pondexter, Nikki McCray, Ruthie Bolton, Seimone Augustus and Diana Taurasi accumulated at least that many points during their first four games.
Perhaps spurred by the attendance of a plethora of Kentucky fans, Howard notched 17 of her 33 points in the first quarter, the most first-quarter points by a rookie in league history. It’s also the second-most by any player in Dream history and the third-most by any WNBA player.
Powered by her performance, the Dream are now 3-1 on the season – their best start since 2017.
The Fever are now 2-3 on the season. The team was led by Kelsey Mitchell, who had 27 points. Rookie NaLyssa Smith had 18 points before leaving the game in the fourth quarter with an injury.