Tina Charles’ decorated WNBA career has a new highlight.
The eight-time All-Star, nine-time all-WNBA selection and 2012 MVP is now the second-leading scorer in WNBA history.
Charles tied Tina Thompson with a 3-pointer in the third quarter of the Atlanta Dream’s 72-63 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday, putting the pair at 7,488 points apiece. Charles later passed Thompson with another 3 on the opening possession of the fourth quarter to claim second place alone with her 7,491st point.
Charles is already the second-leading rebounder in WNBA history.
Tina Charles is now the 2nd all-time leading scorer in WNBA history with 7,491 PTS 🔥
🎥 @WNBA | @AtlantaDream pic.twitter.com/n1r6F7wEp4
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 22, 2024
It was fortuitous that the moment took place with the league’s all-time leading scorer, Diana Taurasi, on the court for the opposing Mercury. Taurasi’s lead in that department is secure, however, as she entered the game 3,108 points clear of Charles. Taurasi currently sits at 10,500 points and is the only WNBA player to score 8,000 in her career.
The Dream stopped the game to commemorate Charles’ accomplishment at the ensuing dead ball, allowing the top two scorers to celebrate together.
“To hear my name in the (same) sentence as Diana is unimaginable, what she’s meant to me personally, this league, her impact. She’s definitely the GOAT,” Charles said after the game. “I’m just thankful.”
2nd All-Time Leading Scorer 👏
Congratulations, @tina31charles 💐 pic.twitter.com/e8JYo7KRZ4
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 22, 2024
A member of the WNBA’s 25th anniversary team in 2021, Charles had a near-incomparable first decade of her career.
Entering the league as a two-time national champion out of UConn, she was the first pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft, won Rookie of the Year and proceeded to stake her claim as one of the greatest forwards in the sport. In addition to her WNBA accolades, Charles was a three-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time world champion from 2010 to 2021.
For the bulk of her career, she lived off her overseas earnings and donated her WNBA salary to Hopey’s Heart Foundation, which provides defibrillators to schools, recreation centers and public institutions.
Charles’ WNBA career took a turn in 2022, when an attempted super team-up in Phoenix went awry. The Mercury and Charles agreed to a contract divorce midseason, and the star spent the rest of the year in Seattle. She struggled in the postseason, however, and didn’t sign with a W team for 2023.
The Dream arrived in 2024 as a lifeline for Charles, a chance for redemption, and she has taken full advantage. The 35-year-old is averaging 14.0 points and 8.4 rebounds and has helped Atlanta start the second half of the season strong. She scored the game-winner in the Dream’s first game back against Seattle and sealed the win against Connecticut with six points down the stretch, including the go-ahead bucket. Her 12 points and 17 rebounds helped Atlanta collect its third win in three tries Wednesday to pull within one game of Chicago for a playoff spot.
“Just to be with this team, to be coached by Tanisha (Wright), a person who has the most impact on my life and career, I just give God thanks,” Charles said.
The one accolade left to earn in Charles’ career is a WNBA title, which probably won’t come with this particular Dream team. But Charles is at least reclaiming the opportunity to see out her WNBA career on her own terms. Rookies around the league, including Cameron Brink and Angel Reese, have praised Charles for her affability and advice during games.
Charles’ legacy was already solidified. One more accolade makes it that much more special.
Required reading
(Photo: Catalina Fragoso / NBAE via Getty Images)
