WNBA: Dream preserve playoff hopes with win over Sky, 86-70

[ad_1] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags In a do-or-die game, the Atlanta Dream came through, defeating the Chicago Sky, 86-70, in their final home game of the 2024 regular season. With the victory, along with the Washington Mystics’ loss to the New York Liberty, Atlanta claimed the No. 8 seed and control of their destiny.

It also was a history-making night at Gateway Center Arena, as Tina Charles secured the 193rd double-double of her career, tying her for first in WNBA history with Sylvia Fowles.

Swish Appeal’s contributing photographer Christina Merrion captured the all the festivities:

Sporting goggles and a pro-voting warmup shirt, the Dream’s Rhyne Howard gets prepared for her team’s most important game of the season. Howard would contribute 15 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Christina Merrion.

Sidelined with a wrist injury, the Sky’s Angel Reese still was a star attraction on Tuesday night. Christina Merrion.

Plagued by injury through the first half the season, Jordin Canada’s late-season health has helped the Dream make their playoff push. Christina Merrion.

The Dream’s Allisha Gray sinks a jumper over the Sky’s Rachel Banham. Gray went 2-for-3 from 3, finishing with 15 points. Christina Merrion.

Lindsay Allen served as a stabilizing presence for the injury-depleted Sky, with 16 points, four assists and four rebounds. Christina Merrion.

The Dream’s Jordin Canada navigates the defense of the Sky’s Michaela Onyenwere. Canada led Atlanta with 18 points and five assists. Onyenwere contributed eight points for Chicago. Christina Merrion.

Limited to first-half minutes due to a calf injury, the Dream’s Haley Jones chipped in six points and two assists in her six minutes of playing time. Christina Merrion.

The Dream’s Laeticia Amihere received a helping hand from head coach Tanisha Wright as she prepared to enter the game. Christina Merrion.

The 3-point shooting of Rachel Banham helped the Sky threaten the Dream in the second half. Banham was 6-for-10 from downtown, scoring a game-high 22 points. Christina Merrion.

Rapper Latto was courtside for the Dream win. Christina Merrion.

Dream legend Angel McCoughtry shares a postgame moment with Tina Charles, whose 16 points and 14 rebounds gave her 193 career double-doubles, tying her with Sylvia Fowles for the most in WNBA history. Christina Merrion.

It’s a Dream team. Former star Angel McCoughtry, current star Rhyne Howard and co-owner Renee Montgomery celebrate the Atlanta victory. Christina Merrion.