Rhyne Howard scores 33 as Dream defeat Wings in overtime

On Friday night, Rhyne Howard led the Atlanta Dream to a thrilling 107-96 overtime victory against the Dallas Wings, scoring a season-high 33 points. This performance marked Howard as the first player from Atlanta since 2013 to achieve consecutive games with over 30 points, following her 31-point game against Phoenix earlier in the week. The Dream, who had been trailing by as many as 16 points during the game, showcased resilience and determination, particularly in the overtime period. In the final moments of regulation, Howard's free throw gave Atlanta a narrow lead, but the Wings managed to tie the game with a last-second jumper from Natasha Howard. The overtime saw a dominant performance from the Dream, outscoring Dallas 15-4. Howard's three-pointer early in the extra period helped establish a lead that Atlanta maintained until the final whistle. Tina Charles contributed significantly to the victory with 20 points and 13 rebounds, while Allisha Gray and Naz Hillmon added 19 and 18 points, respectively. The Dream's collective effort was crucial in overcoming the Wings, who had strong performances from Natasha Howard and Arike Ogunbowale, scoring 24 and 22 points, respectively. The game was particularly significant for Atlanta, as they announced before the match that Cheyenne Parker-Tyus would miss the remainder of the regular season due to an ankle injury. This victory not only boosts the Dream's morale but also highlights Howard's emerging role as a key player for the team.