Tina Charles sets 2 records as Dream clinch final playoff spot

NEW YORK — Tina Charles had a record night to lift the  Atlanta Dream into the WNBA playoffs with a 78-67 win over the  New York Liberty on Thursday night.

Charles finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds, breaking the league records for both career rebounds and double-doubles.

Atlanta came into the game knowing it could clinch a playoff berth win a victory while the Liberty (32-8) had nothing really to play for having already sewn up the No. 1 seed. The two teams will meet again Sunday in the first round of the postseason in New York.

Charles broke Sylvia Fowles’ rebound mark of 4,006 boards a few minutes into the game, getting an offensive tap out that eventually led to a basket. She needed three boards coming into the game to break the record and is now up to 4,014 for her career.

In the third quarter, Charles broke another one of Fowles’ league records when she grabbed her 10th rebound to complete her 194th career double-double.

A New York native, Charles, 35, was honored before the game as she was inducted into the city’s Basketball Hall of Fame along with nine other former players and coaches. Her Dream teammates were on the court cheering her on as she was announced. The Liberty also honored Charles at the end of the first quarter with a video tribute.

A 14-year veteran, Charles is the only WNBA player with 7,000 points and 4,000 rebounds in her career. She is second on the career scoring list behind only Diana Taurasi. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.