“Obviously there’s still some speculation as to whether I was an All-Star or not. I just let it fuel me in a positive way and prove what I know I can do,” Howard shared in an interview with ClutchPoints back in 2023. And yes, there really was speculation after she was snubbed from the reserves list, but she ended up making it because of an injury to Elena Delle Donne. There was speculation despite her being the 2022 Rookie of the Year, a 2022 All-Star, and her fresh career-high 43 points against the Los Angeles Sparks.

But that really wasn’t the end of it. Howard went on to collect an All-Star selection this year as well. With the 10th-highest vote count among guards and just over 80K votes, she ranked 25th overall in All-Star fan voting. And yes, without any doubt, she’s earned it. Howard currently leads all WNBA players with 56 three-pointers this season and became the fastest player to reach 300 career threes in 114 games earlier this year. Simply put, Team Phee needs her around this time!

But will Rhyne Howard get to play in the All-Star Game?

If the All-Star teams were solely determined by fan vote, Howard would’ve missed the cut. However, thanks to the 25% vote held by WNBA players and another 25% by media, she was selected and scheduled to play in the game. But it all came crashing down soon. In the second quarter of Atlanta’s game against Indiana, Howard injured herself after attempting to secure a rebound following a 3-pointer by Caitlin Clark. As she came down from her jump, her landing on the left leg seemed off, and she collapsed in pain almost immediately.

While Atlanta regained the ball moments later, Howard didn’t get up; she was holding her knee and was clearly in distress. A timeout was called so the medical team could check on her. And while she tried to walk off, she was unable to do so herself and had to be helped back to the locker room by staff. Surprisingly, she returned after halftime with her knee wrapped and rejoined the action. She hit a trio of threes in the third quarter and logged 14 points in 25 minutes overall. Still, with a visible limp throughout the second half, her return raised concerns about whether playing through the injury was a wise decision.

So, while the Dream stated the 25-year-old is expected to make a full recovery, there’s currently no timeline for her return. But, there’s one thing we know for sure – after she missed the game against the New York Liberty, she’ll be sitting out the next six games through the end of the month. But this isn’t the first time Howard has been sidelined this season.

With Howard out again, teams eye replacement!

Earlier this season, in a game against the NY Liberty, she collided with Natasha Cloud and exited midway through the second half, later seen wearing an arm sling. She was listed as day-to-day with a projected return date of July 3.

So yes, with just five days remaining until the All-Star Game, she’s officially out. “It’s going to have to be more than one person (who steps up with her out),” Dream coach Karl Smesko said. “We’re gonna miss (Howard), obviously, an All-Star, one of the best players in the league.”

And he’s right. Losing a starter who averages 16.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game isn’t ideal, especially when facing elite opponents like A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, Caitlin Clark, and more. What makes matters worse is that Atlanta, now 13–9 and just three wins shy of tying last season’s total, desperately needs their star wing. Since Howard will not be participating in Saturday night’s All-Star Game in Indianapolis, the league will most likely name a replacement soon. And they might not have to look far – her teammate, center Brionna Jones, should be on the shortlist of injury replacement candidates. There’s good reason for it, too.

Standing at 6’3″, Jones primarily plays as a forward. And maybe, as unfortunately as it comes, it could mean a lot for Jones, whose name was amongst the biggest snubs. As Nia Coffey said, “She’s literally done everything on both sides of the floor consistently. One thing our coaches always talk about is doing things possession by possession. I think she does a really good job of that. She’s been really huge for us this year. I feel like we have such a good rapport with our team.”

However, if the need is to replace with a guard like Howard, then one could look at Brittney Sykes as well. Cathy Engelbert has yet to announce the replacement. Who do you think will make the cut?