Phoenix Mercury at Atlanta Dream
· Women's National Basketball AssociationCharles moves into 2nd on WNBA scoring list while leading Dream past Mercury 72-63
Allisha Gray had 21 points and Rhyne Howard 19 to lead the Dream (10-17), who won their season-best third straight after going into the Olympic break on an eight-game losing streak.
Charles, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft out of UConn, opened the fourth-quarter scoring with a 3-pointer from the top of the key that moved her past Tina Thompson's 7,488 points. Charles' 7,491 points are more than 3,000 behind Diana Taurasi (10,500), who was held to a late 3-pointer in this game.
Charles' basket broke a 48-48 tie and started a 17-2 run that broke the game open. Reserve Maya Caldwell had all six of her points following Charles' 3.
Gray had a jumper and two free throws that made it 65-50 with 5:26 to play. When they beat the Sun on Sunday, the Dream opened the fourth quarter with a 19-2 run.
Kahleah Copper led the Mercury (15-14) with 22 points and Brittney Griner had 14. The Mercury were outrebounded 47-33, including 16-3 on the offensive end.
Atlanta held Phoenix to 2 of 15 shooting with five turnovers in the first quarter to race to a 19-6 lead.
The Dream went cold in the second quarter missing their first 11 shots and back-to-back baskets by Copper gave Phoenix at 25-24 lead. Gray then made a pair of 3s and Howard had another to help the Dream take a 34-26 halftime lead.
Atlanta's streak came against Seattle, Connecticut and the Mercury, all teams with winning records and in playoff position down the stretch. Now Atlanta is a game back of the final playoff spot and plays host to Phoenix again on Friday.
Regular Season Series
PHX wins series 3-1
Recent Plays
| 4th 0.0 |  |
End of Game | 63 - 72 |
| 4th 0.0 | |
End of the 4th Quarter | 63 - 72 |
| 4th 5.0 |  |
Allisha Gray defensive rebound | 63 - 72 |
| 4th 9.1 |  |
Kahleah Copper misses 24-foot three point pullup jump shot | 63 - 72 |
| 4th 15.0 | |
Kahleah Copper defensive rebound | 63 - 72 |
Statistics
 PHX |
 ATL |
|
|---|---|---|
| 24-61 | FG | 25-73 |
| 39 | Field Goal % | 34 |
| 6-19 | 3PT | 9-31 |
| 32 | Three Point % | 29 |
| 9-10 | FT | 13-16 |
| 90 | Free Throw % | 81 |
| 33 | Rebounds | 47 |
| 3 | Offensive Rebounds | 16 |
| 30 | Defensive Rebounds | 31 |
| 15 | Assists | 17 |
| 4 | Steals | 3 |
| 3 | Blocks | 1 |
| 11 | Turnovers | 8 |
| 1 | Team Turnovers | 1 |
| 12 | Total Turnovers | 9 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 1 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 1 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 14 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 11 |
| 4 | Fast Break Points | 9 |
| 30 | Points in Paint | 26 |
| 16 | Fouls | 15 |
| 2 | Largest Lead | 15 |
Game Information
Location: College Park, GA
Attendance: 3,260 · Capacity:
2024-25 Western Conference Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Minnesota |
- | 10 | W1 | 0.77272725 | 34 |
 Las Vegas |
4 | 14 | W16 | 0.6818182 | 30 |
 Phoenix |
7 | 17 | L3 | 0.6136364 | 27 |
 Seattle |
11 | 21 | W1 | 0.52272725 | 23 |
 Golden State |
11 | 21 | L3 | 0.52272725 | 23 |
 Los Angeles |
13 | 23 | L1 | 0.47727272 | 21 |
 Dallas |
24 | 34 | W1 | 0.22727273 | 10 |
2024-25 Eastern Conference Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Atlanta |
- | 14 | W6 | 0.6818182 | 30 |
 New York |
3 | 17 | W3 | 0.6136364 | 27 |
 Indiana |
6 | 20 | W3 | 0.54545456 | 24 |
 Washington |
14 | 28 | L10 | 0.36363637 | 16 |
 Connecticut |
19 | 33 | L2 | 0.25 | 11 |
 Chicago |
20 | 34 | L4 | 0.22727273 | 10 |
WNBA News
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The WNBA and union exchanged about 15 proposals between Tuesday and the early hours of Saturday morning.
WNBA: Urgent to reach new CBA by Monday to not impact season
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told reporters that there is urgency to get a new CBA done by Monday to avoid disruptions to the preseason calendar, including training camp and preseason games.
WNBPA's Jackson hopeful as sides 'chip away' in CBA negotiations
WNBPA chief Terri Carmichael Jackson expressed optimism on Day 4 of CBA negotiations with the league, saying that continued conversations have helped "chip away at what the concerns are for both sides."
USA women def. Puerto Rico at FIBA World Cup qualifiers
The U.S. women's national team secured its second win of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers on Thursday, beating host team Puerto Rico 91-48.
WNBA collective bargaining negotiations hold up Brondello's Tempo signings
Sandy Brondello has pretty much won and done it all in her coaching career, but building a team without any players is a first.