Atlanta, GA – August 18, 2024

In a nail-biting finish, the Atlanta Dream secured a dramatic 83-81 victory over the Seattle Storm at the Gateway Center Arena Friday night, with a game-winning shot by nine-time All-Star Tina Charles.

With just 10.7 seconds left on the clock and the Storm trailing by three, Jordan Horston inbounded the ball to Skylar Diggins-Smith, whose three-point attempt fell short, landing in the hands of Jewell Loyd. Loyd, in a desperate attempt, dribbled through heavy traffic, launched a high-arching three-pointer from the right wing in front of the Storm’s bench, that swished through the net, tying the game at 81 with only 4.6 seconds remaining.

Following a timeout, the Dream executed a perfectly drawn-up play. Jordin Canada, returning from a broken finger injury that had kept her sidelined since early July, inbounded the ball to Charles. With one bounce, Charles rose and sank the decisive basket, sealing the win for Atlanta.

The game marked the return of both teams from the Olympic break, with the Storm entering the contest with a 17-8 record and the Dream struggling at 7-17. Seattle’s starting lineup featured Skylar Diggins-Smith, Jewell Loyd, Jordan Horston, Nneka Ogwumike, and Ezi Magbegor, while Atlanta started Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon, and Tina Charles. Due to injuries, this starting lineup was a first for the Atlanta Dream.

Seattle took control early in the game, with Diggins-Smith scoring 10 points in the first four minutes. The Storm led 22-18 at the end of the first quarter, with Diggins-Smith continuing her strong performance throughout the first half, finishing with 17 points, 2 assists, and 2 steals.

Despite Seattle’s dominance early on, shooting 50% from the floor and forcing 14 Dream turnovers in the first half, Atlanta fought back in the second half, led by Rhyne Howard’s stellar 30-point performance. Howard’s three-point shooting in the third quarter and a crucial free throw in the fourth gave Atlanta its first lead of the game.  

Charles’ final shot not only clinched the victory but also marked a milestone in her career, as she became the second player in WNBA history to reach 3,000 career field goals.

This victory improves the Dream’s all-time record against the Storm to 18-23 overall and 13-8 when playing in Atlanta. For Seattle, it was a hard-fought game, but they couldn’t hold off the resurgent Dream in the closing moments.

The 25th game of the season for the Dream marked their first match since the nearly month-long Olympic break. During the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Rhyne Howard represented her country as a member of the USA Basketball 3×3 Women’s National Team, helping the team secure a bronze medal for their performance.

Both head coaches were also active during the Olympics. Tanisha Wright of the Dream served as a scout for Team USA, while Noelle Quinn, head coach of the Storm, contributed as an assistant coach for Team Canada.