Rhyne Howard makes WNBA Finals history in game that barely shows up in scoring column originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A box score can tell you who scored the most points in a basketball game. It cannot always tell you who changed the way the game was played. Rhyne Howard offered an unusually strong example Monday night during Atlanta's 79-65 victory over the Golden State Valkyries in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals.
Howard finished with five points, a number that would usually suggest a quiet evening for one of the Dream's best-known players. Instead, she recorded six steals, establishing a WNBA Finals record while Atlanta evened the series at one game apiece. Her defensive activity was part of a collective effort that completely altered the second half.
A difficult first half became a record night
Howard's achievement was especially unusual because she spent much of the first half dealing with foul trouble. She picked up her fourth foul before halftime and played limited minutes in the second quarter. That could have taken her out of the rhythm of the game entirely.
With six steals tonight, Rhyne Howard has broken the WNBA Finals record for most steals in a game.
— WNBA Communications (@WNBAComms) October 20, 2026
She still finished with six steals in just over 27 minutes. Howard shot 2-for-7 from the floor and made one three-pointer, but the Dream did not need a major scoring contribution from her to win. They needed disruption, pressure and timely defensive plays, and she supplied all three.
Golden State committed 19 turnovers. Atlanta turned those mistakes into 24 points, creating easier opportunities for a team that had struggled to generate enough offense in the opener. The Dream also held the Valkyries to nine points in the third quarter, outscoring them 21-9 in the period that decided the game.
Atlanta showed more than one way to win
Angel Reese understandably commanded most of the attention with 30 points and 16 rebounds. Allisha Gray added 18 points, and Jordin Canada contributed 13 points and 10 assists. Those performances mattered, but Howard's work ensured the Valkyries could not comfortably organize their offense.
That balance is what makes Atlanta dangerous. If Reese is controlling the interior, opponents may need to commit more help to the paint. If Howard is anticipating passes and turning defensive possessions into transition chances, there is no simple way to slow the Dream down.
Game 3 is Wednesday in Atlanta. Golden State will have adjustments to make on both ends of the floor, but one of the most important might involve a player who scored only five points. Howard's night was a reminder that playoff games can be decided by someone who never leads the scoring chart.