Commissioner’s Cup: Howard Erupts for 36 as Dream Defeat Sun 91-75

Rhyne Howard had the hot hand and never cooled off.  Howard poured in a season-high 36 points, including eight three-pointers, while Allisha Gray added 26 points as the Atlanta Dream defeated the Connecticut Sun 91-75 Tuesday night at Gateway Center Arena.

The victory improved Atlanta to 6-2 on the season and earned the Dream their first Commissioner’s Cup win of 2026. As a result, the organization secured $3,000 for its charitable partner, The King Center.

“It felt good, so I kept shooting,” Howard said following her explosive performance.

Atlanta’s starting lineup of Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon and Angel Reese continued its strong play together, improving to 6-1 this season.

The Dream and Sun battled through a competitive first half, with Atlanta taking a slim 50-49 advantage into the break. Howard and Gray did most of the heavy lifting offensively, combining for 40 first-half points while tying their own franchise record for most points scored by a Dream duo in a half.

“We were able to continue to be aggressive, continue to make them work, and execute with pace and poise.” Howard said.

Howard finished 12-for-24 from the field and knocked down 8-of-19 shots from beyond the arc, tying a career high for three-pointers made.

“I told you from the preseason till now, and going forward, this is a different Rhy,” head coach Karl Smesko said. “Rhy is locked in, she has a different level to her. Today, she was huge for us.”

Gray continued her stellar season, finishing with 26 points, seven rebounds and two assists.

“It feels nice when me and Rhy both connect and both have great games,” Gray said. “I feel like when me and Rhy both have good games, where we’re connecting, it’s a great game, and we’re more likely to win more games.”

While the offensive fireworks grabbed headlines, Atlanta’s defense ultimately put the game away.

The Dream carried a 68-65 lead into the fourth quarter after closing the third on a 10-2 run. Angel Reese sparked the momentum shift when she connected on her first three-pointer of the season, a basket that also marked the 1,000th point of her WNBA career.

“It was a momentum changer,” Smesko said. “I thought the crowd loved it, team loved it, I loved it.”

Atlanta’s defense then took over.

The Dream held Connecticut scoreless for the first 5:11 of the fourth quarter, forcing eight consecutive misses while building a lead the Sun never recovered from.

“I think our defense won us this game tonight,” Gray said.

Reese recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 12 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. The former LSU star also reached another milestone, recording her 200th career assist.

Canada added her second double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 assists while also collecting four steals.

Naz Hillmon contributed five points, seven rebounds and three assists, helping Atlanta dominate the hustle categories.

Despite facing former Dream center Brittney Griner, who was honored during the game for her contributions to the franchise last season, Connecticut was held to just three offensive rebounds by a relentless Atlanta defense. The Dream capitalized with 15 second-chance points compared to only three for the Sun.

Atlanta also set a season high with 14 made three-pointers and improved its all-time record against Connecticut to 35-34, including a dominant 22-12 mark at home.

The Dream’s dynamic duo of Howard and Gray combined for 62 of Atlanta’s 91 points, continuing to establish themselves as one of the WNBA’s most dangerous backcourts.

With momentum building and confidence growing, Atlanta now turns its attention to a Commissioner’s Cup showdown against the Indiana Fever on Thursday, June 4. The Dream will then return home to Gateway Center Arena on Saturday, June 6, for a matchup against the Washington Mystics as they look to continue their strong start to the 2026 season.

If Tuesday’s performance was any indication, the Dream may be just getting started.