The Atlanta Dream’s first-round postseason matchup against the Liberty brings a future Hall of Famer back home in hopes to defeat the same franchise she spent time with throughout her WNBA career.
Queens native and Dream star Tina Charles’ homecoming involves trying to help eliminate the No. 1 seed Liberty, the same squad she played six seasons with from 2014-19. Charles and her team entered Barclays Center Tuesday down 1-0 on the brink of elimination in the best-of-three series after dropping Sunday’s Game 1.
Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello spoke about her intentions to make sure her team don’t have to face Charles and the Dream in Atlanta for a possible Game 3, but she didn’t miss out on giving the future Hall of Famer her flowers.
“She’s been part of this organization and did so many wonderful things. She’s still playing at a really high level and it’s great to see her back in the league, Brondello said about Charles, who chose to not play the 2023 WNBA season. “Playing tough and I know she’s got a lot of fans in the building, too. I think she appreciates the time she did have here. I think she’s really happy in the way things have worked out in New York because — we always talk about it — if New York is successful, that helps the whole league. I think we see that now.”
Charles, who is in her 14th WNBA season, averaged 18.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in her 200 games with the Liberty. In most of those years, the Liberty weren’t under ownership of Joe and Clara Wu Tsai and didn’t play inside the Barclays Center. Current Knicks owner James Dolan put the Liberty up for sale in 2017 and the Tsai family acquired the franchise in 2019. From 2014-17, Charles and the Liberty played their games at Madison Square Garden and transitioned to the Westchester County Center for the 2018-19 seasons. The Liberty later planted roots at Barclays Center in 2021 after Charles’ departure.
The Christ the King alum made four All-WNBA teams as a member of the Liberty, including three first-team selections from 2015-17. She won an MVP award in 2012 as a member of the Connecticut Sun and finished second for the award twice with the Liberty. The 6-4 big also has four All-Defensive Team selections on her resume, including a First-Team selection with the Libs in 2017.
Her loaded resume continues with eight All-Star team selections, including five with the Liberty. Whenever she decides to retire, Charles’ name will go down in history as one of the best basketball players to play the game. And even the opposing team’s head coach believes her name belongs with the Liberty greats inside Barclays Center.
“Yeah, for sure,” Brondello said if she envisions Charles’ name in the Liberty Ring of Honor in the future. The ring is currently occupied by Kym Hampton, Vickie Johnson, Rebecca Lobo, Crystal Robinson and Sue Wicks. Current WNBA coached Becky Hammon and Teresa Weatherspoon also have their names honored inside the Ring of Honor.
“She’s a legend in this city,” Brondello continued. “I suppose she’s not with us now but it’s great that she’s back so people can celebrate her too. Just the level that she’s been able to play at for so long.”
Even while she’s active, the huge recognitions are already rolling in. Before last week’s regular-season finale against the Liberty, Charles was inducted into New York City’s Basketball Hall of Fame along with nine other former players and coaches. And during the win that clinched the Dream a postseason berth, she broke league records for career double-doubles and rebounds.
