Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko lauded Rhyne Howard's "breakout performance" after her record-equalling showing against the Chicago Sky.

Howard made a career-high nine 3-pointers, tying the WNBA single-game record, and finished with a season-high 36 points as the Dream triumphed 88-70 on Friday.

She went scoreless in the first quarter but then bounced back, concluding with 11 points during Atlanta's 18-3 run in the fourth to take a 79-59 lead.

"The big story of the day is Rhyne's second half, how she just got it going and kept it going," Smesko said. "It was great to see her have a breakout performance."

Friday marked Howard's ninth career 30-point game, the second most in franchise history, behind Angel McCoughtry's 32.

The 25-year-old also broke the Dream franchise record for 3-pointers in a game, topping Renee Montgomery's eight in 2018.

UNSTOPPABLE from beyond the arc

With 9 3PM vs. Chicago, Rhyne Howard sets a new Atlanta Dream franchise record and ties the WNBA single-game record for threes made.

She joins Arike Ogunbowale, Jewell Loyd, and Kelsey Mitchell as the only players to reach that mark.… pic.twitter.com/ILkh4Az1NF

— WNBA (@WNBA) June 14, 2025

"I think just seeing the first couple go in got me going," Howard said. "In the past I forgot what it's like to shoot a 3."

In the same game, Atlanta's Brittney Griner moved into second place on the WNBA career blocks list, passing Lisa Leslie.

She had her 823rd block in the fourth quarter to sit alone in second, trailing Margo Dydek's record 877.

"A lot of the accolades or stats don't matter much to me, but if there's one, it's the blocked shots," Griner said. "So to pass Lisa, one of the greats to do it, I'm honoured to be in that second place.

"That one meant a lot to me, so very happy about that. Got a few more to go for Margo though, but I'm chasing."