Dream guard Rhyne Howard named All-Defensive First Team, then struggles in Finals
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The gist
Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard made the WNBA All-Defensive First Team after leading the league in steals.
Her playoff shooting slump is central to the Dream's first Finals since 2013.
Background
Rhyne Howard is an Atlanta Dream All-Star guard, a four-time All-Star who led the WNBA in steals per game at 2.3 this season. The Dream reached their first WNBA Finals since 2013 and faced the Golden State Valkyries in a best-of-five series. Howard's shooting has dipped in the playoffs: she shot 20 of 75 from the field and 9 of 33 from three over her last four games entering Game 1, after averaging 17.7 points on 40.5% shooting in the regular season.
How it unfolded
- Oct 7, 2026In a semifinal win over the New York Liberty, Howard shot 5-for-20 from the field.
- Oct 9, 2026In the next semifinal win over the Liberty, Howard shot 7-for-21.
- Oct 16, 2026Howard and teammate Angel Reese were named to the WNBA All-Defensive First Team; Howard earned her first first-team honor after a second-team nod in 2025 and set Atlanta's single-season steals record.
- Oct 17, 2026The Valkyries beat the Dream 68-64 in Game 1 of the Finals; Howard had 12 points on 3-of-14 shooting and went 0-of-4 in the fourth quarter. She briefly left for the locker room in the fourth quarter and returned after a timeout.
- Oct 19, 2026The Dream beat the Valkyries 79-65 in Game 2; Howard set a Finals record with six steals.
- Oct 21, 2026Before Game 3, the Dream held a 6-1 playoff record and were two wins from a first championship; Howard was shooting 30.6% from the floor in the playoffs.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Dream head coach Karl Smesko said getting out in transition should help Howard get easier looks, and that the Valkyries are focused on not letting her get separation.
- Analysts
- ESPN analyst Chiney Ogwumike focused on Howard's role in the Dream's offense this postseason, framing it as "They Needed Her."
- Public
- Some fans on X criticized Howard's shot volume, while others criticized Smesko for sticking with her, according to the report.
- Player
- Howard said the Valkyries forced the Dream into a style they don't play and that the team would watch film and make adjustments; she also said she was "as healthy as I can be" after going down in Game 1.