Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard set records for most points and 3-pointers in a WNBA playoff debut game Friday, but the Dallas Wings rallied from a 20-point deficit to win 94-82 in Game 1 of their first-round series.
Howard scored 36 points and made eight 3-pointers to enter the record books. Her 19 first-quarter points tied a playoff record for most points in a quarter.
Howard was last season’s No. 1 draft pick and the WNBA Rookie of the Year, but the Dream missed the playoffs by one game. She said that was on her mind as she took the court for her first playoff game Friday at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.
“I’m not here to break records, I’m here to win,” Howard said. “It was about going out and setting the tone, not only for myself, but for my teammates. I have to come out aggressive, looking for shots.”
Howard’s night was marred by the Wings’ comeback, which was the biggest in the WNBA playoffs since 2014 and tied for the third-largest in WNBA postseason history. It was also the first time in playoff history a…
