Dream clinch final playoff spot, set up rematch with Liberty
Tina Charles collected 10 points and 10 rebounds to become the WNBA's all-time leader in rebounding and double-doubles as the visiting Atlanta Dream clinched the final playoff spot with a 78-67 victory over the league-leading New York Liberty on Thursday night.
Facing her former team, Charles surpassed Sylvia Fowles on the league's all-time rebounding list with a little less than seven minutes left in the first quarter by getting an offensive rebound of Jordin Canada's jumper for her 4,007th career rebound.
Charles then notched her 194th career double-double, also passing Fowles, when she grabbed a defensive board with 5:07 left in the third.
It was Charles' 21st double-double this season, and her performance helped Atlanta (15-25) edge the Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky for the league's final playoff spot. The win set up a best-of-three series with the Liberty in the opening round of the postseason, beginning Sunday in New York.
Rhyne Howard and Naz Hillmon scored 13 apiece to lead the Dream, who never trailed after allowing the game's first five points. Allisha Gray also finished with 10 as Atlanta shot 50 percent and outscored New York 46-24 in the paint.
Breanna Stewart led all scorers with 16 points in 16 minutes and did not play the second half as the Liberty (32-8) limited the minutes of most of their starters after clinching the top seed on Tuesday.
Nyara Sabally added 14 off the bench and Jonquel Jones collected 10 rebounds and seven points as the Liberty shot 40 percent.
After falling behind in the opening minute, Atlanta shot 52.6 percent from the field, held the Liberty to 31.2 percent and took a 21-15 lead after the opening quarter. The Dream expanded the lead to 14 midway through the second and held a 43-30 lead by halftime.
After the Liberty cut the lead to 10 early in the second, Atlanta scored 10 straight points and opened a 55-35 lead on a hook shot by Canada with 5:56 left. The Dream carried a 66-49 lead into the fourth.
