Rhyne Howard made a career-high nine 3-pointers — tying the WNBA single-game record — and finished with a season-high 36 points as the Atlanta Dream beat the Chicago Sky 88-70 on Friday night.
In addition, Atlanta’s Brittney Griner moved into second place on the WNBA career blocks list, passing Lisa Leslie.
Howard broke the Dream franchise record for 3-pointers in a game, topping Renee Montgomery’s eight in 2018. She joined three other players who also hit 9 3s in a single game.
Howard, who was scoreless in the first quarter, had 11 points in the third to help Atlanta take a 58-54 lead. She ended that quarter with a jumper from the free throw line and began the fourth with a 3-pointer for a seven-point lead. Howard added another 3-pointer with 8:18 remaining for the first double-digit lead of the game at 66-56.
Howard also scored 11 points during Atlanta’s 18-3 run in the fourth to take a 79-59 lead.
It was Howard’s ninth career 30-point game, the second most in franchise history behind Angel McCoughtry’s 32.
Griner blocked a shot by Elizabeth Williams late in the third quarter to move into a tie with Leslie (822). She added another in the fourth to sit alone in second, trailing Margo Dydek‘s record 877. Griner would finish the game with 7 points and 3 blocks.
Allisha Gray added 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for Atlanta. Brionna Jones added 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Jordin Canada scored 12 to go with 8 assists.
Kamilla Cardoso led Chicago (2-7) with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Angel Reese added 12 points and 9 boards, her second straight game with 10-plus points, tying her longest streak this season. Ariel Atkins also scored 12.
The Dream improved to 7-3, matching their best start to a season since 2016.
ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
