A win to bring them back over .500.
Chicago — The Atlanta Dream defeated the Chicago Sky 89-80 to improve their record to 5-4 on the season. The Atlanta Dream started Haley Jones, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus and Tina Charles for the ninth consecutive time this season. Atlanta recorded its second-highest scoring game of the season with 89 points and its highest scoring with 51 points in the first half.
“From the first person to the last person, I thought they were comfortable. We moved the ball really well, especially in that first half, and the ball found the right opportunities. And our pace was much better,” said head coach Tanisha Wright.
Charles led all scores for the game with 22 points, seven rebounds, three steals along with one block. Charles passed Yolanda Griffith for no. 4 on the all-time offensive rebounds list with 1,050. She is now 13 away from entering the top three. The center has also moved to no. 2 all-time in WNBA history for scoring 15+ points in a game. This is her 275th time, passing Tamika Catchings (274) for sole possession of the no. 2 spot.
Charles and Sky forward Angel Reese battled all night as it became a great matchup for fans and analysts. “I just tried to tell [Reese] to settle down when she’s on the post. She’s an elite player. She going to be an elite player,” said Charles.
The Dream started the game strong, as they opened the first quarter with a 9-0 run that grew into a dominant 25-6 run that lasted nearly the entire quarter — initiated by a Howard steal that led to a Jones jumper in transition. The Dream finished the first half shooting 50% from the field, 44.4 % from 3-point range and 100% from the free throw line, culminating in its highest-scoring half of the 2024 season.
The third quarter was very vital for the Dream as they outscored Sky 21-18. Defensively, five different Dream players recorded steals in the third quarter. Atlanta also held Chicago to 0% shooting from the 3-point line.
As a team, the Dream shot 35.3% from the field, 20% from 3-point range and 80% from 3-point range. Chicago attempted to make a comeback scoring 23 points in the in the last quarter.
In silencing a Chicago run that began midway through the fourth, Charles found Parker-Tyus in high-low action to draw the foul sending Parker-Tyus to the line. Parker-Tyus went perfect from the free throw line, preserving Atlanta lead at 84-77 with under three minutes left to play.
With under two minutes to play, Howard knocked down a 3-pointer from 30-feet to put Atlanta up 97-79. Guard Crystal Dangerfield also marked a season-high in minutes played for the Dream, reaching 23:56 in the fourth quarter.
“Good, tough, gritty win on the road. Appreciated our effort today. Great bounce-back with our efforts. I’m really proud of the two that stand next to me. I thought [Charles and Parker-Tyus] dominated the game, the way they played together,” said head coach Wright.