Just Days Before Playoffs, 23YO Star’s Concerning Injury Might Put the Brakes on WNBA Glory Charge

The WNBA according to ESPN, saw an immense increase in viewership last year; with the NBA season off and a rise of new sensations in the WNBA. The women’s sport is gaining more popularity, and it’s becoming more durable. Injury endured by a player is not just a personal affinity, but can be potential enough to change the course of the game. A recent injury endured by the WNBA player did send questionable mirth to the team’s success. The video of a 23-player is surfacing on the internet, and it’s causing a stir.

Yesterday, the match between the Atlanta Dream and the Seattle Storm came to an end with the Dream winning. The mirth and merriment did not last as the team’s star guard got injured in the playoffs in 23 days.

An unexpected turn of events

23-year-old Rhyne Howard was the No. 1 pick in the 2022 WNBA draft. She is a former UK player and guard for the Atlanta Dream. She won the Rookie of the Year in her inaugural season and was named to the roster of Team Wilson to replace Washington Mystics forward Elena Donne. Rhyne replaced Donne on the 2023 roster due to the injury suffered by her. Unfortunately, in yesterday’s match with the Seattle Storm, Rhyne suffered an unexpected ankle injury and her return to the game is yet to be known.

The game was intense as Monique Billings marked her 10 rebounds as a season-high. And in an unexpected moment, Tanisha asked for a time out, and that’s when everyone’s attention shifted to Rhyne Howard. As the analyst speaks, “Ryne Howard was slow to get up and we’re not sure what happened on the play, but you could sense that was why Tanisha was making sure the timeout was called“.

We saw her limping her way back to the bench with the support of the team’s athletic trainer Natalie Trotter. Later, they went back to the locker room, as Ryne could not play. However, the Atlanta Dream won the match 79-68. But the injury to Ryne will have a great impact on the course team in the season, especially with play-offs in just 23 days.

Read More :Despite 6’6 Center Getting Smacked with an Elbow, Foul Call against 28YO Star in Narrow Win Shocks the Crowd

Ryne Howard, The reserve of the league

In the previous year, Rhyne Howard was given the honor of being voted into the WNBA All-Star Game as a reserve by the head coaches of the league. With this selection, Howard has now joined an elite group of only four players in the history of the Atlanta Dream to have earned multiple All-Star bids. Furthermore, it is a testament to the team’s talent and skill that they have had three players selected for the game on three separate occasions.

With the contribution of 36 games in the league, Howard is ranked 10th in the WNBA. With an ankle injury, it is questionable for her to appear in the forthcoming games. But we pray for a speedy recovery, as the guard should be back for the playoffs.

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