The Atlanta Dream and the Dallas Wings squared off in a thrilling WNBA Playoffs Round 1 matchup, and while the Dream came up short with a final score of 82-94, it was a night to remember, especially for Rhyne Howard.
Atlanta Dream (0-1) at Dallas Wings (1-0)
Game 1 | September 15, 2023 | Arlington, TX
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 36 | 13 | 21 | 12 | 82 | Howard – 36 | Billings & Parker – 8 | Robinson & Parker – 4 |
| Dallas | 21 | 28 | 18 | 27 | 94 | Sabally – 32 | McCowan – 14 | Ogunbowale – 7 |
A Historic First Quarter
The Dream made history right out of the gate, scoring an astonishing 36 points in the first quarter, setting a franchise record for the most points scored by an Atlanta team within a single quarter in postseason history. It was a fast-paced and electrifying start to the game, and Rhyne Howard was at the forefront of this offensive onslaught.
Rhyne Howard’s Playoff Debut
Rhyne Howard, in her first-ever playoff appearance, turned heads and etched her name into the WNBA record books. She dropped a jaw-dropping 36 points, making her the youngest player in WNBA history to score 30+ points in the postseason. Her performance was nothing short of exceptional, and it didn’t stop there.
Howard set a new WNBA record by scoring 19 points in the first quarter alone, a testament to her scoring prowess. This remarkable achievement also tied her with Angel McCoughtry for the most points scored in any WNBA postseason quarter (19). Beyond her scoring, Howard showcased her long-range skills, making 8 three-pointers in the game, setting a new Dream playoff record from downtown.
Allisha Gray’s Playoff High
Joining Howard in the Dream’s offensive efforts was fellow All-Star Allisha Gray, who had a career-high playoff game with 21 points. Gray also contributed on the boards, recording a postseason-high 7 rebounds. Her performance provided valuable support to Howard’s scoring display.
Dominating the Boards
Monique Billings and Cheyenne Parker combined for 16 rebounds, accounting for exactly half of the overall rebounds for the Dream. Their presence in the paint was crucial, even though the team fell short in this contest.
What’s Next?
Despite the loss, the Dream showed they are a force to be reckoned with, especially with Rhyne Howard leading the way. The series continues as Atlanta and Dallas are set to face off in Game 2 on Tuesday, September 19th, at 9:00 p.m. ET at College Park Center. Fans can expect another exciting showdown as the Dream look to bounce back and even the series.
In summary, while the Dream may have lost the battle in Game 1, Rhyne Howard’s historic playoff debut and the team’s offensive firepower have set the stage for an intense playoff series against the Dallas Wings. WNBA fans will undoubtedly be tuning in for what promises to be an exhilarating postseason run for both teams.