Tina Charles thought her remarkable WNBA journey might have ended when she sat out last season. However, not only is she back this year, but on Wednesday night, she made history by moving into second place on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list, just behind Phoenix Mercury’s Diana Taurasi.
In a game that saw the Atlanta Dream claim their third consecutive victory since the Olympic break, Charles contributed 12 points and pulled down 17 rebounds, leading the team to a 72-63 win over the Phoenix Mercury in College Park, Georgia.
Reflecting on her achievement, Charles expressed deep gratitude, crediting her faith and the Dream’s unwavering belief in her. “It’s really special to be where I am now, considering where I was last year,” she shared. “I genuinely thought my playing days were over, so being here today is something I cherish.”
With this milestone, Charles surpassed Hall of Famer Tina Thompson, who had 7,488 career points, now holding 7,491 points across her 13 WNBA seasons. Taurasi, currently at 10,500 points after 20 seasons, remains the top scorer. Both Charles and Taurasi share a legacy as former UConn stars and USA Basketball teammates in three Olympic Games, and they were briefly WNBA teammates with the Mercury in 2022.
“It’s unimaginable to even be mentioned in the same breath as Diana,” Charles said, reflecting on their shared history on and off the court.
In addition to her scoring milestone, Charles now has 184 career double-doubles, ranking second in WNBA history and just 10 away from breaking retired center Sylvia Fowles’ record of 193. Charles’ 3,876 rebounds also place her second behind Fowles’ record of 4,006.
Despite missing the 2020 season due to a medical exemption during the COVID-19 pandemic and not playing in 2023, Charles continues to leave her mark on the league. Dream coach Tanisha Wright, a former teammate of Charles during their time with the New York Liberty, and general manager Dan Padover saw her potential and signed her as a free agent in February, believing she still had much to contribute at 35 years old.
The Dream, plagued by injuries, had struggled into the Olympic break with an eight-game losing streak, dropping to a 7-17 record. However, with key players like 3×3 Olympic bronze medalist Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada back in the lineup, Atlanta now sits at 10-17, just one game behind the Chicago Sky for the final playoff spot.
“Consistency is the hallmark of great teams,” Charles remarked. “Tonight, we were consistent in our defense, offense, ball movement, and celebrating each other.”
When asked how she might celebrate her latest achievement, Charles initially shrugged it off. However, Coach Wright chimed in, suggesting, “She’s definitely going to have a beer tonight, relax in her hammock, and listen to some Caribbean music.”
Charles couldn’t help but agree. “Yeah, that’s true,” she said with a smile. “But honestly, I think I’ll appreciate it more when I’m finally done playing. Right now, I’m just grateful to be surrounded by such an incredible group of women. Watching the growth of Allisha Gray, being alongside Rhyne Howard, and making a difference in their careers—that’s what truly matters to me at this stage.”
