SE Atlanta News

By: Tori Newman, Atlanta Dream Communications Assistant

ATLANTA, Ga. – (August 21, 2024) Powered by a dominant all-around performance, the Dream continued their undefeated streak since returning from the Olympic Break with a 72-63 victory over the Phoenix Mercury at Gateway Center.

Atlanta’s record improves to 10-17 overall and 6-8 at home.

Allisha Gray led the team with 21 points, two assists, and three rebounds. She shot 6-for-14 from the field and 3-for-8 from 3-point range.

“I think everybody has bought in,” Gray said. “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.”

Rhyne Howard followed with 19 points, three assists, two rebounds, and one steal. The guard surpassed 1,500 career points to become one of seven players in Dream franchise history to reach the milestone.

The Dream offense quickly found its momentum as the game began, going on a 17-4 run while holding Phoenix scoreless for almost six full minutes in the first quarter. Atlanta’s defense limited the visitors to shooting just 13.3% from the field, resulting in a new season-low in points scored in a quarter for the Mercury.

After a Phoenix run, Atlanta rallied to score 10 of the final 11 points in the second quarter, fueled by Gray and Howard who produced 14 of the Dream's 15 points in that period. Going into halftime, the Dream held onto their lead at 34-26.

Charles ignited the fourth quarter for Atlanta by scoring her tenth point of the night with a three-pointer to reach No.2 on the WNBA’s All-Time Scoring List, passing Tina Thompson. Once forward Lorela Cubaj kicked an offensive rebound out to Charles, she knocked down the shot from 25 feet out causing Gateway Center to erupt with cheers and celebration.

At the next dead ball, Charles’ teammates sprinted from the bench to embrace her at center court.

“It's just really full circle for me,” Charles said postgame. “Just in my career for it to have been done alongside Tanisha [Wright], one of my most impactful teammates and person that I have in my life. I'm just very thankful; a lot of gratitude to be on court with Diana [Taurasi], to be behind Diana], to be in same sentence. It's just unimaginable.”

By game's end, Charles marked her eleventh double-double of this season with twelve points and a season-high seventeen rebounds.

Immediately after returning to play post-break, Atlanta surged onto an eleven-point run that then swelled into a twenty-one-to-four run closing out their victory for night.

The Dream will host Phoenix once again on August twenty-third at seven-thirty p.m., broadcasted on ION.