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Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard Lead Dream to Statement Win Over Aces — Melanin News | Melanin
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Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard Lead Dream to Statement Win Over AcesSports

Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard Lead Dream to Statement Win Over Aces

2w ago

The Atlanta Dream delivered a powerful statement on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, snatching a decisive 97-82 road victory over the formidable Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena. This win wasn't just another notch in the standings; it was a testament to resilience, particularly for star forward Angel Reese, who turned a recent personal setback into a triumphant performance.

Reese, alongside fellow Dream standout Rhyne Howard, spearheaded an offense that saw four starters hit double figures. Howard led the charge with 23 points, while Reese and Allisha Gray each contributed 21 points. Jordin Canada, returning to the lineup after missing the previous game due to illness, added 17 points, six rebounds, and a team-high five assists. The Dream's defense was equally impactful, racking up 15 steals and limiting the Aces to a mere 39.7% shooting from the field. Both Howard and Reese were defensive dynamos, each recording four steals.

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The game took a notable turn in the second quarter when Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon was ejected. Hammon received two technical fouls for arguing a non-call on a drive by Aces star A'ja Wilson with 5:06 remaining in the quarter. This marked Hammon's first ejection of the season and her second overall in her coaching career. Assistant coach Charlene Thomas-Swinson assumed coaching duties for the remainder of the contest. Following Hammon's departure, Howard sank two free throws, extending Atlanta's lead to 35-29, and Reese capped the first-half scoring with a driving layup, giving the Dream a comfortable 52-41 advantage at halftime.

This pivotal victory came just two days after a tough 95-91 overtime loss for the Dream against the Indiana Fever at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. In that game, Angel Reese found herself in a widely discussed moment, securing a crucial offensive rebound in the final seconds of regulation but missing a potential game-winning layup. The play quickly went viral across social media, and Reese openly admitted the missed shot deeply affected her. "Last game was very tough for me. I didn't sleep…I replay that play so many times," Reese stated, reflecting on the experience. "And I'm like, why would I let that moment dictate everything else that I have going on that's positive?"

Dream coach Karl Smesko had defended Reese after the Fever game, while teammate Allisha Gray offered words of encouragement. "It happens. We know any other time, Angel will make the shot. She knows she'll make the shot," Gray commented. "In that moment, you've just got to encourage your teammates. No one person lost us the game. It's a team effort." Another Dream player, Naz Hillmon, also missed a layup at the buzzer after rebounding Reese's initial miss in that same game, highlighting the collective nature of the team's struggles and support.

Rhyne Howard
Rhyne Howard Source

Angel Reese, born May 6, 2002, is recognized as a dynamic force in professional basketball. She joined the Atlanta Dream in 2026 after spending her first two seasons with the Chicago Sky, who drafted her seventh overall in the 2024 WNBA draft. Known for her ferocity and prowess as one of the league's top rebounders, Reese notably led Louisiana State University (LSU) to a national championship in 2023. In her rookie WNBA season, she set a new single-season rebounding record with 404 rebounds and made history with 15 consecutive double-doubles. She has earned WNBA All-Star selections from 2024 to 2026, solidifying her status as a league standout.

Rhyne Howard, born April 29, 2000, is a highly decorated shooting guard for the Atlanta Dream, having been selected first overall in the 2022 WNBA draft. Howard, who played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats, has accumulated numerous accolades in her professional career, including WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2022 and four WNBA All-Star selections in 2022, 2023, 2025, and 2026. She is widely recognized for her aggressive and high-energy style of play, which consistently fuels the Dream's offense.

For Angel Reese, the performance against the Aces was a direct and powerful answer to her previous game's disappointment. She secured her league-leading 24th double-double of the season with her 21 points and 10 rebounds, complemented by four assists and four steals. Reese underscored the importance of her bounce-back effort, stating, "It's about how you respond. Just coming out tonight and just doing whatever it takes to win was just my goal." She further elaborated on her commitment to her team: "I knew how much my team needed me. So, just showing up for my team, it would have been negative for me not to come out tonight and just bounce back. And I knew they expected it from me." Rhyne Howard echoed the sentiment, calling the victory "BIG" and expressing hope that the momentum from beating the reigning WNBA champions would carry forward.

This win held particular significance for the Atlanta Dream, as it snapped a six-game losing streak in Las Vegas, marking their first victory in the city since July 19, 2022. Historically, the Las Vegas Aces have largely dominated this matchup, winning seven of the previous nine games against the Dream and all five of their last five meetings in the 12 months prior to this game. The Dream's all-time record against the Aces now stands at 18-29. The 97-82 triumph was Atlanta's 12th double-digit victory of the season, tying the second-most in franchise history, and it positioned the Dream just one game behind the Aces in the hotly contested WNBA standings.

Coach Karl Smesko highlighted the team's optimal strategy, noting that the Dream is "at our best when we're pushing the pace and we're getting into things quickly." This decisive road win not only showcased the Dream's potential when firing on all cylinders but also provided a crucial boost in confidence and standings, setting a new tone for their season as they look to build on this hard-fought momentum.