In a pivotal moment for the WNBA, Atlanta Dream center Tina Charles made history Wednesday night, sinking a clutch tiebreaking 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter to become the league's second all-time leading scorer. Charles followed up her milestone shot by assisting on two of Atlanta's next four baskets, finishing the game with a strong 12 points and 17 rebounds. The Dream secured a 72-63 victory over the Phoenix Mercury in College Park, Georgia.

The 35-year-old UConn alum now boasts 7,491 career points, surpassing Tina Thompson's total of 7,488. Thompson, a WNBA legend, made her mark with the Houston Comets, Los Angeles Sparks, and Seattle Storm from 1997 to 2013.

Charles was the first overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun, quickly establishing herself as a force in the league by winning Rookie of the Year honors. She was later named the WNBA's Most Valuable Player in 2012. Her career has taken her through several teams, including the New York Liberty, Washington Mystics, Phoenix Mercury, and Seattle Storm, before joining the Atlanta Dream this season.

Beyond her WNBA accolades, Charles has also been a key player for the U.S. women's national team, contributing to gold-medal victories at the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Olympics.

The only player now ahead of her on the WNBA's career scoring list is the legendary Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury, who scored three points in Wednesday's game, bringing her career total to an astounding 10,500 points.

Reflecting on her achievement, Charles said, "To hear my name in the same sentence as Diana is unimaginable, considering what she's meant to me personally, this league, and her impact. She's definitely the GOAT. I'm just thankful."