Top-pick Rhyne Howard had a career-high 33 points, and the Atlanta Dream beat the Indiana Fever 85-79. That has been the best performance from any player in the WNBA this season so far.
Howard made 9-of-18 from the field and 12-of-17 from the free-throw line, with three steals. Fever’s NaLyssa Smith — the No. 2 overall selection — scored a season-high 18 points, but left the game with a right ankle injury.
Kelsey Mitchell finished with a season-high 27 points — her third consecutive game scoring at least 24 points. The teams meet again Tuesday.
Arike Ogunbowale scored 18 of her 21 points in the second half and the Dallas Wings beat the New York Liberty 81-71. Sabrina Ionescu had 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists to lead the Liberty.
Dallas improved to 2-1 as Isabelle Harrison added 18 points. Ogunbowale scored nine points in the third quarter to put Dallas up 62-52. The Wings withstood New York’s (1-3) hot start, but they close the first half with a 39-37 lead.
