Dream’s Rhyne Howard Out Indefinitely with Ankle Injury Before 2024 Paris Olympics
Andrew PetersJune 21, 2024
David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images
Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard is out indefinitely after suffering a left ankle injury on Wednesday, per ESPN’s Michael Voepel.
According to Voepel, the Dream said they will provide a timeline for Howard’s return in the coming weeks.
Howard, who is averaging 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.2 steals this season, injured her ankle after stepping on the foot of Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams in the third quarter of Wednesday’s loss.
Howard is a member of the 2024 US 3X3 Olympic team and her availability for the Olympic Games is unclear at the moment.
Before Howard’s injury, Los Angeles Sparks rookie and member of the 3X3 Olympic team Cameron Brink suffered a torn ACL in her left knee, sidelining her for the Olympics and the remainder of the season. Brink averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 15 games this year.
The other members of the team consist of Cierra Burdick, a former WNBA player and current member of Valencia Basket Club, and Hailey Van Lith, who plays for TCU.
USA Basketball 3×3 @usab3x3The Paris Four 🙌
Introducing the 2024 USA 3×3 Women’s National Team! 🇺🇸 #3x3WNT pic.twitter.com/sNIWMH4ivJ
The 3X3 Olympic team will have to replace Brink, as each team needs to have one substitution, but it might also have to replace Howard if she’s unable to return in time.
For now, Howard will focus on making her return to the court, where she has enjoyed a successful career thus far. The first overall pick in the 2022 WNBA draft out of Kentucky, she went on to win Rookie of the Year and has already been named to a pair of All-Star teams.
