Rhyne Howard drops ‘dangerous' take on Dream's potential for remainder of season
The Atlanta Dream are 7-3 on the season and recently got an 88-70 win against the Chicago Sky. In the first half of the game, the Dream started off slow and were trailing going into halftime. It was the second half where things turned up for Atlanta, and Rhyne Howard was key, as she finished the game with 36 points.
Advertisement
Most of the Dream's wins this season have started and ended the same way, but they've been able to do what they have to do to come out victorious. Though the Dream have been able to turn things up in the second half, they know they can take things to the next level if they play a complete game.
'I think we beat ourselves,' Howard said after their win against the Sky. 'The things that we're doing, we're only doing them during periods of time. We're only doing them during half of the games. I think once we get everything to click and put together a full 40 minutes, I think we'll be really dangerous.'
In all of the Dream's wins this season, they've outscored all of their opponents in the third quarter. Things seem to improve on both sides of the ball in that period, and head coach Karl Smesko likes the trend.
'I would like to win the third quarter every time,' Smesko said. 'I think it's important to set the tone. You get out at the start of the game and you want to set the tone and get off to a good start, but sometimes the second half is even more important.'
Advertisement
Despite having a good record early in the season, the Dream know they have not reached their full potential yet, and once they do, it could be scary for the rest of the league.
Dream still working out the kinks early in season
Through ten games, the Dream are still not playing some of their best basketball, but they're in a good place right now standings-wise.
'Right now, we're still learning who Atlanta is, and that's not surprising, because it's only been a month, and we've got a lot of new players working together,' Smesko said. 'But we do want to see a lot of progress over the next couple of weeks so we can start hitting both ends of it, really get into a game plan and be able to do some things that we want to do to help us win that way, while already knowing that we can play the way we want to play.'
Advertisement
Players such as Brionna Jones, Brittney Griner, and Naz Hillmon are taking the most 3-point attempts per game in their careers, and are still trying to find comfort in taking those shots. Rhyne Howard is still working through her offensive game, and after her recent performance against the Sky, things could be trending upwards with her.
Related: Dream's Rhyne Howard goes off for WNBA record, career-highs in gritty win over Sky
Related: How Rhyne Howard's 'shooters shoot' mentality led to franchise record game vs. Sky
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Indiana Fever's Kelsey Mitchell Made History Against Los Angeles Sparks
Indiana Fever's Kelsey Mitchell Made History Against Los Angeles Sparks originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Kelsey Mitchell and the Indiana Fever have become one of the hottest teams in the WNBA despite missing their All-Star point guard, Caitlin Clark, due to a groin injury. Advertisement On Saturday, Clark missed her fifth straight game as the Fever hosted Kelsey Plum and the Los Angeles Sparks. Coming into the game, Mitchell had played in 250 games over her eight-year WNBA career, all with the Fever, tying her with former point guard and current assistant coach Briann January for the second-most games in franchise history. But the moment the matchup against the Sparks tipped off, Mitchell officially logged her 251st game with Indiana, passing January to take sole possession of second place on the franchise's all-time games played list. Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell made franchise history on game vs Los Angeles Hollars-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images Mitchell still has a long way to go to match Tamika Catchings' franchise record of 457 games played, now trailing the Basketball Hall of Famer by 206 games. Catchings spent her whole 15-year WNBA career with the Fever, bringing them their first and only championship in 2012. Advertisement The Fever congratulated Mitchell on her historic feat with a post on social media. "Kelsey Mitchell now ranks second all-time in franchise games played with 251 👏," the Indiana Fever wrote on X. "congrats Kelz!" Mitchell is following up her career year in 2024 with another career year in 2025. Through 17 games, she is averaging a career-high of 19.3 points on 45.4% shooting, 1.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists. Even without Clark, the Fever have managed to jump to 9-8 on the season, winning the Commissioner's Cup championship in the process. They will have a few days off before their next game on Wednesday against the Golden State Valkyries. Advertisement Related: Stephanie White Makes Indiana Fever Admission Without Caitlin Clark This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Washington Post
31 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Davis Thompson makes late birdie to break out of a logjam and lead John Deere
SILVIS, Ill. — Davis Thompson made a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole Saturday to break out of a logjam that at one point featured 10 players tied for the lead, giving him a 4-under 67 on a much tougher golf course and a one-shot lead in the John Deere Classic.
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Shane van Gisbergen's Chicago Burnout and Near-Miss Sparks Debate Over Dangers in Victory Celebrations
Shane van Gisbergen's Chicago Burnout and Near-Miss Sparks Debate Over Dangers in Victory Celebrations originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Shane van Gisbergen and Chicago have become synonymous with one another. Since NASCAR started going to the Windy City in 2023, the New Zealand driver has made his way to Victory Lane each year on the 2.20-mile track. Advertisement The 36-year-old did it during his Cup Series debut two years ago, stunning the NASCAR world with multiple drivers, including Chase Elliott, admitting it was embarrassing to have someone come in and win during his first-ever race in the sport. The three-time Supercars champion took the checkered flag first again in 2024, not in Cup but in the Xfinity Series. It was one of three wins during his first full-time season with the Series. He also won at Portland and Sonoma. The Kiwi — in his rookie Cup season — recorded his second career win just a few weeks ago in Mexico City, which, much like Chicago, was the series making its inaugural visit to a circuit featuring right and left turns. Shane van Gisbergen celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on the Chicago Street coming into the weekend along the shores of Lake Michigan were that SVG could win one if not both races. Advertisement He accomplished the first step on Saturday, out dueling his JR Motorsports teammate and fellow Red Bull driver Connor Zilisch on a late restart, recording his third win in the nation's third-largest city. After making a cooldown lap around the track, the No. 9 car slowed down the frontstretch before the engine started revving and smoke started billowing out from behind the rear tires. The burnout continued in front of the fans gathered in the grandstands. The CW camera operator was providing the television-viewing audience a close perspective of the burnout, standing on the track-side of the concrete wall, which serves as the barrier between pit road. He almost got too close. Advertisement As the JRM car approached, SVG turned hard to the left and the right rear of the car whipped around. The screen immediately filled with smoke before the camera abruptly tilted to the side, the operator getting knocked off balance. It was a near-miss. It was a close call. It was a disaster narrowly averted. It was all of those things — and it wasn't the first time. It's happened in the past. The broadcast trying to get the best close-up shot of the victory celebration as possible. However, at some point, the question needs to be asked — at what costs? It feels like it's just a matter of time before the close call becomes an accident. It could result in a cameraperson losing their balance like today, a minor injury like a sprained ankle, or who knows, even much worse. Advertisement Related: Richard Petty Doesn't Sugarcoat Feelings on Playoff Format After Shane van Gisbergen Win in Mexico This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
