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Dream Must Unlock Rhyne Howard and DeWanna Bonner to Beat Valkyries in WNBA Finals

The Atlanta Dream’s championship hopes hinge on a pair of star guards who struggled mightily in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, a 68–64 loss to the Golden State Valkyries. Rhyne Howard, the Dream’s four-time All-Star, managed just 12 points on 3-for-14 shooting from the field and 2-for-9 from three-point range—a far cry from her 19-point average over the first two playoff rounds.

DeWanna Bonner, another key offensive weapon, managed only 2 points in 13 minutes of play, while Allisha Gray led the Dream with 19 points after returning from a hand injury that sidelined her during the semifinals. Despite the Valkyries’ dominant defense—holding the Dream to 33% shooting overall and 16% from deep—the Dream were just two points away from forcing overtime, a narrow margin that underscores the stakes for Game 2.

Howard, who holds the WNBA record for most three-pointers made in a game (tied at nine) and has scored 43 points in a single outing, will need to replicate her scoring prowess against Golden State’s elite defensive lineup, which includes Gabby Williams, Kaila Charles, and Kayla Thornton. Coach Karl Smesko has expressed confidence in Howard’s ability to deliver, but the Dream cannot afford another quiet performance if they are to avoid falling into a 2-0 hole in their home arena.

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