The Atlanta Dream are on a roll, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Returning from the Olympic break, the Dream have found their groove, rattling off three straight wins, including a statement victory over the Phoenix Mercury. Behind the brilliance of Allisha Gray, the relentless rebounding of Naz Hillmon, and a historic night that saw Charles etch her name even deeper into the WNBA record books, the Dream have sent a message to the rest of the league: they’re back, and they’re a team to be reckoned with.
The Dream wasted no time asserting their dominance in this matchup. From the jump, they stifled the Mercury, holding them to just six points in the opening quarter. Atlanta’s defense was suffocating, allowing Phoenix to shoot only 13.3% from the field, marking a new season-low in points scored for a quarter. The Dream’s defensive intensity and commitment to the game plan were evident as they went on a 17-4 run, sparked by Rhyne Howard’s quick six points and relentless energy.
Tina Charles made her presence felt early, grabbing seven rebounds and adding five points. Atlanta outscored Phoenix 8-2 in the paint and made as many free throws as the Mercury scored points in the quarter. The Dream’s 19-6 lead at the end of the first quarter set the tone for the rest of the game.
The second quarter saw Phoenix attempt a comeback, led by Brittney Griner and Kahleah Copper. After the Mercury briefly cut the lead to one point, Allisha Gray stepped up and knocked down back-to-back three-pointers, regaining control for the Dream. The momentum shift was palpable as Tina Charles found Howard for another three, culminating in a 10-1 run that sent Atlanta into halftime with a 34-26 lead.
Gray and Howard combined for 14 of the Dream’s 15 points in the quarter, with Gray staying perfect from beyond the arc and Howard continuing to attack both inside and out. The Dream’s five three-pointers in the first half were the only long-range conversions of the game, as their defense held the Mercury to 0-for-7 shooting from deep.
As the third quarter began, all eyes were on Tina Charles. The WNBA legend entered the period just four points shy of becoming the second all-time leading scorer in league history. Early in the quarter, she drained a three-pointer, bringing her within one point of the milestone. Although facing a tough matchup against Griner, Charles continued to impact the game on both ends.
Allisha Gray stayed hot, leading the Dream with eight points in the quarter, while Naz Hillmon was a force on the boards. Despite a spirited comeback from Phoenix, who cut the lead down to one, second-year star Haley Jones delivered a clutch layup that sent the crowd into a frenzy and allowed Atlanta to maintain a slim lead heading into the final period.
Fourth Quarter: Tina Charles Makes History
The fourth quarter was highlighted by a historic moment as Tina Charles sank an open three-pointer, officially moving into second place on the WNBA’s All-Time Scoring List. The arena erupted in cheers as the Dream ran a montage celebrating Charles’ illustrious career, from her early days in the league to her continued excellence. The record-breaking shot also marked Charles’ eleventh double-double of the season as she finished with 12 points and 17 rebounds, breaking her own season-high in rebounds.
The Dream opened the quarter on an 11-0 run, capped off by Maya Caldwell’s three consecutive jump shots, which forced an early timeout from the Mercury. Atlanta’s dominance didn’t stop there, as they extended the run to 21-4, securing their third consecutive victory since the break. Gray, who led all scorers with 21 points, was simply unstoppable from beyond the arc. Rhyne Howard continued her all-around play with 19 points, weaving through Phoenix’s defense with ease.
Defensively, the Dream held Phoenix to just 35.3% shooting in the final quarter, with three of the Mercury’s starters being held to only three points each. The combination of Atlanta’s suffocating defense and balanced offense proved too much for the Mercury to overcome.
After the game, the mood in the Dream’s locker room was pure celebration as the team soaked Tina Charles in a Gatorade bath after crowning her queen of the night. It has been an incredible turn around for the Dream and Allisha Gray reflected on the team’s momentum since returning from the Olympic Break: “I think everybody has bought in. We know what we need to execute. We worked really hard during the Olympic Break, and it’s a great turnaround. It’s nice to have everybody back healthy, so that makes it even more enjoyable as well.”
When asked about her historic night, Tina Charles shared, “It’s just really full circle for me, just in my career, for it to have been done alongside Tanisha, one of the most impactful teammates and person that I have in my life. I’m just very thankful, a lot of gratitude to be on the court with [Taurasi], to be behind [Taurasi], to be in the same sentence. It’s just unimaginable.”
With the win, the Dream improve to 10-17, now just one game out of eighth place in the WNBA standings, right behind the Chicago Sky. They’ve now defeated three top-tier teams in the league, two of which they beat by double digits. The Dream’s blend of veteran leadership, young talent, and defensive tenacity has them primed for a late-season playoff push.
As the Dream prepare for their next matchup, fans can sense that this team is finally hitting its stride. If the past three games are any indication, the Dream’s chemistry and confidence are growing, and with leaders like Charles and Gray steering the ship, they look poised to make some noise in the second half of the season.
