Why Rhyne Howard could reach another level for Dream in 2026

The Atlanta Dream have been soaring to start the season, and Rhyne Howard has been one of the catalysts for their success. Coming into her fifth season in the league, Howard has taken another step in her game, and it’s obvious that she has big goals for herself and the team.

Her strong play continued after their win against the Connecticut Sun, where she finished with 36 points and three steals. Not only does it look like Howard’s offense has taken a jump (career high 19.3 points per game), but she’s still defending at a high level, leading the league with 2.7 steals per game. Following the game, Howard was asked by Autumn Johnson what version should the Dream expect from her this season.

Her answer said it all.

“A brand new one,” Howard said. “I’m trying to achieve goals I’ve never achieved before, and I’m going to continue to break those records and continue to show what I can do on both sides of the ball. The sky is the limit for me. Actually, even more than that, because there’s footprints on the moon, so the sky can’t be the limit. But continuing to grow and continue to show I’m not complacent where I’m at.”

Howard knows that the Dream will go as far as she takes them, and this next step in her game is crucial for the goals they have for themselves this season.

Karl Smesko has spoken highly of her since the preseason, and he reiterated those comments after the Sun game.

“This is a different Rhyne,” Smesko said. “Rhyne is locked in; she has a different level to her. She’s been an All-Star, but she is taking this to another level, and you can see it. It’s here, and she was huge for us today.”

Howard is showing again this year that she is a true two-way talent, and the longer she continues to produce like this as the season continues, the Dream will be one of the top teams in the league.

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