What happened: Howard scored 26 points in 25 minutes, adding five assists, three rebounds and three steals.
Why it matters: Her pursuit of two single-season marks gives the performance broader significance beyond the finish.
By the numbers: Howard shot 9-for-15 overall and 5-for-8 from three, producing a 76.7% effective field-goal rate and 1.04 points per minute.
What to watch: Her next game offers another opportunity to cut into both record gaps.