Rhyne Howard sets WNBA rookie record in Dream’s opening win

The Atlanta Dream took down the Dallas Wings 66-59 on Saturday night in a history-making debut for rookie Rhyne Howard.

Howard had 16 points, three rebounds, four assists, four blocks and two steals in the win making her the first player in WNBA history to make their debut with such a stat line. She turned over the ball just once.

Rhyne Howard’s rookie debut:

16 PTS | 4 AST | 2 STL | 4 BLK

The @AtlantaDream defeat the @DallasWings 66-59. #WNBA | #DoItForTheDream pic.twitter.com/wzFvKUuzxi

— Women’s Hoopz (@WBBWorldWide) May 8, 2022

“She was solid. I thought she was solid defensively for sure,” said Dream coach Tanisha Wright, who won her first game as a WNBA head coach. “Offensively, Rhyne is capable of a lot more. She took 12 3s, which we’re fine with her taking 3s, but she has a lot more in her tool bag that she can tap into and use, so we want to continue to challenge her to look for those things.”

She also became the first player in league history to record four blocks and four made 3-pointers in their debut. All four of Howard’s made shots came from beyond 3-point range.

Her defense, combined with a team total 38 defensive rebounds and 10 steals, helped Atlanta hold Dallas to fewer than 60 points for the first time since 2011.

Marina Mabrey led the Wings with 20 points while Allisha Gray was the only other player in double-digits for Dallas with 12 points.

The Wings will look for their first win on Friday against Washington while the Dream take on Los Angeles on Wednesday.