A scary moment unfolded during the Atlanta Dream's game against the Indiana Fever on Friday, July 11, 2025, when All-Star guard Rhyne Howard was carried off the court with an apparent knee injury. The incident occurred early in the second quarter during a battle for a rebound with the Fever's Lexie Hull. Replays suggested that Howard's knee may have buckled on the landing.

Howard was immediately assisted by Dream staff to the locker room. Prior to the injury, she had played 12 minutes, contributing five points, two rebounds, and one assist. The severity of the injury was immediately apparent, and she had to be carried off the court.

As of July 12, 2025, there has been no official update from the Atlanta Dream regarding Howard's condition. However, there were reports that she was seen warming up during halftime. Despite the initial fears, she did return to the court in the second half and finished the game with 14 points.

This injury scare comes shortly after Howard returned to the Dream's lineup on July 7, 2025, against the Golden State Valkyries, after missing a game due to an upper body injury. That previous injury occurred on June 29, 2025, in a game against the New York Liberty. She left that game and was subsequently sidelined for the game against the Seattle Storm.

Howard's recent injury history raises concerns about her availability for the upcoming WNBA All-Star Weekend on July 19, 2025. She was recently selected for her third All-Star appearance.

The Dream ended up losing to the Indiana Fever 99-82. Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 25 points, while Aliyah Boston added 19 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. Jordin Canada led the Dream with a career-high 30 points.

Prior to the injury, Howard was averaging 16.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. In her fourth season in the WNBA, the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft has become one of the league's elite shooting guards.

The Atlanta Dream will face the New York Liberty in Brooklyn on Sunday, while the Indiana Fever will host the Dallas Wings.