Rhyne Howard faces WNBA fine after defending Angel Reese during heated Dream-Sky game

The Atlanta Dream guard picked up her second technical foul of the season after confronting an official over a controversial call involving Angel Reese. The  Dream walked away from Sunday’s game against the Chicago Sky with a thrilling victory, but the result will come at a cost for Rhyne Howard.

Howard received her second technical foul of the season after arguing with an official over a controversial call involving teammate Angel Reese. Under WNBA rules, the technical foul carries an automatic $500 fine. The incident occurred with 4.8 seconds remaining in the third quarter of Atlanta’s 98-96 win. Reese and Chicago center Elizabeth Williams became tangled while fighting for a rebound before both players fell to the floor.

Despite Reese appearing to absorb contact on the play, officials assessed the foul against her. Howard immediately came to her teammate’s defense and protested the decision, earning a technical foul for her reaction.

Rhyne Howard fined after Angel Reese incident

Howard’s technical was her second of the 2026 season. WNBA players are fined $500 for each of their first three technical fouls. The financial penalty increases to $1,000 for technical fouls four through seven and $1,500 for each technical after that. A player also receives an automatic one-game suspension after being assessed an eighth technical foul, with another suspension following every other technical after that.

Howard is still well below the suspension threshold, but she will now have to be more careful when disputing calls for the remainder of the season. The Dream guard finished Sunday’s game with 11 points, six rebounds, six assists and three blocks. Her defense and all-around production helped Atlanta extend its winning streak to three games.

Allisha Gray led the Dream with 29 points and six rebounds, while rookie Madina Okot provided 14 points and four rebounds off the bench. Jordin Canada delivered the biggest play of the afternoon. With the score tied at 96, Canada took a handoff from Brionna Jones and converted a layup at the buzzer to give Atlanta the dramatic two-point victory. She finished with 10 points, nine assists and three steals.

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Angel Reese injury overshadows dramatic Dream win

Howard’s fine was not Atlanta’s greatest concern coming out of the game. Reese left early in the fourth quarter after suffering an apparent left leg injury on a non-contact play. Her leg appeared to bend awkwardly as she planted her foot, immediately raising concern about the severity of the injury.

Reese later watched the remainder of the game from the bench. The Dream did not immediately announce a diagnosis or provide a firm timetable for her return. The injury arrived during a historic stretch for Reese, who recently set the WNBA record for the most double-doubles recorded by a player over her first three seasons.

Atlanta managed to finish the job without her, but Reese’s status will be the much bigger story moving forward. The Dream have built momentum with three consecutive victories, and losing one of their most productive players for an extended period could quickly change the outlook of their season. Howard’s willingness to defend Reese showed the chemistry developing within Atlanta’s lineup. It also left her with a fine and another technical foul on her season total.

For now, however, the Dream will gladly accept the bill after escaping Chicago with another dramatic win.

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