COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — Tina Charles scored 22 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, Jordin Canada scored 13 of her 19 points in the second half and Atlanta beat the Connecticut Sun 82-70 on Sunday for the Dream’s second consecutive win following a monthlong break for the Paris Olympics.

Atlanta (9-17) had lost eight consecutive games, and 15 of 18, prior to the break. The Dream won back-to-back games — against two of the top four teams in the WNBA standings — for just the second time this season. Atlanta beat the Seattle Storm on Friday.

Rhyne Howard scored 13 points, and Allisha Gray added 11 for the Dream. The duo, who are Atlanta’s top-two scorers this season and average a combined 31.9 points per game this season, made just 5 of 21 (24%) from the field.

Olivia Nelson-Ododa hit a short jumper that gave Connecticut (19-7) a 68-63 lead with 4:51 to play. Gray quickly answered with a three-point play, Canada followed with a driving layup, and Charles added a jumper that gave Atlanta the lead for good with less than three minutes remaining. Alyssa Thomas made a layup that cut the Sun’s deficit to a point about a minute later but the Dream closed the game on an 11-0 run.

Connecticut made just 1 of 7 from the field after Nelson-Ododa’s jumper midway through the fourth quarter.

Thomas finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the Sun. Brionna Jones scored 12 points with eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Tyasha Harris also scored 12, Marina Mabrey added 11, and DeWanna Bonner grabbed 10 rebounds to go with nine points.

In a thrilling matchup against the Connecticut Sun, the Atlanta Dream secured their second straight win with a final score of 82-75. The standout player of the game was Tina Charles, who led the Dream to victory with an impressive 22 points.

Charles, a veteran center in her first season with the Dream, showcased her scoring prowess and leadership on the court. She shot 9-15 from the field and added 8 rebounds to her stat line, proving to be a dominant force in the paint.

The Dream got off to a strong start in the first quarter, taking an early lead and never looking back. Their defense was solid throughout the game, holding the Sun to just 75 points and forcing key turnovers down the stretch.

In addition to Charles’ standout performance, several other players contributed to the Dream’s success. Guard Courtney Williams chipped in with 16 points and 5 assists, while forward Crystal Bradford added 12 points off the bench.

The win marks a significant milestone for the Dream, who are looking to build momentum as they continue their season. With Charles leading the way, the team appears to be hitting their stride and finding their rhythm on both ends of the court.

As the Dream look ahead to their next matchup, they will undoubtedly be riding high on their recent success. With Tina Charles leading the charge, this team has the potential to make some noise in the league and compete at a high level. Fans can expect more exciting games and standout performances from Charles as the season progresses.