Tina Charles Soars to Second on WNBA All-Time Scoring List in Historic Moment

In a remarkable display of perseverance and talent, Tina Charles has etched her name deeper into the annals of WNBA history by moving into second place on the all-time scoring list. The eight-time All-Star, nine-time All-WNBA selection, and 2012 Most Valuable Player reached this milestone during the Atlanta Dream's 72-63 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday night, tying Tina Thompson at 7,488 career points with a three-pointer in the third quarter. Moments later, she surpassed Thompson, sealing her place with another three-pointer just as the fourth quarter kicked off. Charles’s ascension comes at a time when the league's all-time leading scorer, Diana Taurasi, was on the court for the Mercury. With an impressive 10,500 career points, Taurasi maintains a lead of more than 3,100 points over Charles and remains the only player in WNBA history to surpass 8,000 points. This unique setting allowed for an emotional moment as both players shared the court, highlighting the significance of Charles's achievement. After the game, a celebratory pause allowed teammates and fans alike to honor Charles's accomplishment, a moment she described as surreal. "To hear my name in the (same) sentence as Diana is unimaginable," she reflected. "What she's meant to me personally, this league, her impact. She's definitely the GOAT. I'm just thankful." Charles's journey to this milestone has been anything but conventional. A powerhouse player from her early days at the University of Connecticut, where she was a two-time national champion, she was drafted first overall in 2010 and quickly established herself as one of the game’s great forwards. Her accolades extend beyond the WNBA; she has also earned three Olympic gold medals and three world championships between 2010 and 2021. However, her professional journey faced challenges in 2022 after an ambitious attempt to form a super team with the Phoenix Mercury did not pan out. Following a midseason contract divorce, she found herself without a team for the 2023 season. But in 2024, the Dream emerged as a new opportunity—a chance for redemption that Charles has fully embraced. At 35, she is not only contributing significantly to her team with averages of 14.0 points and 8.4 rebounds but also helping lead Atlanta into playoff contention. Her recent performances include a game-winner against Seattle and critical points down the stretch in another win over Connecticut. Under the coaching of Tanisha Wright, who Charles credits as a significant positive influence in her life, she has found a renewed sense of purpose. "Just to be with this team, to be coached by Tanisha, I just give God thanks," she expressed, recognizing the chance to continue her career on her own terms. While a WNBA championship remains elusive in her career, Charles's legacy is already secured, and her latest achievement only adds to her storied journey. As she continues to inspire the next generation of players, including rookies like Cameron Brink and Angel Reese, her contributions extend beyond the court, exemplifying the spirit of sportsmanship and mentorship. The WNBA is not just witnessing a record being broken; it is celebrating a player whose impact will reverberate well beyond her time in the league.