Tina Charles, the all-time scoring leader for the New York Liberty, is on the verge of becoming the WNBA’s all-time leader in double-doubles.
Five years after her final game for the Liberty, Charles attempts to reach the milestone and help the Atlanta Dream clinch the final playoff spot in Thursday’s visit to New York.
The Dream (14-25) hold the No. 8 seed and enter their regular-season finale one game ahead of the Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky. A win gets them into the postseason but a loss brings tiebreakers into play.
If the Dream lose, they will be eliminated if Washington and Chicago both win. With a loss along with a Chicago loss and a Washington win, Atlanta gets into the postseason because of its better record versus opponents with at least a .500 record.
Atlanta moved to the cusp of clinching with Tuesday’s 86-70 home win over Chicago. Charles finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds for her 20th double-double this season and the 193rd of her career, tying Sylvia Fowles for the most in league history.
The Liberty (32-7) are 3-0 against the Dream this season and head into the final game with the league’s top spot secured after Tuesday’s 87-71 win at Washington.
Breanna Stewart totaled 15 points and 10 rebounds to lead five players in double figures against the Mystics. The Liberty led by 11 after the first quarter and by as many 22.
