Dream leaning on veteran Tina Charles to help fill scoring void left by Rhyne Howard's injury

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. (AP) — Top scorer Rhyne Howard is out indefinitely with an ankle injury, making it more important for veteran Tina Charles to add punch to the Atlanta Dream's low-scoring attack as they attempt to remain in the WNBA playoff picture.

Coach Tanisha Wright and the Dream are leaning on experienced leadership from Charles, a former MVP who is on the cusp of moving into the top three of the league's all-time scoring list.

The Dream (6-9), who play Friday at Connecticut, have lost three straight games and five of six. Atlanta ranks last in the WNBA in points (75.9 per game), field-goal percentage and assists.

Howard, the two-time All-Star and 2022 rookie of the year, was leading the team with 15.4 points per game before hurting her left ankle last week.

The Dream have not announced a timetable for Howard's return. It is not known if the injury could threaten her spot on the United States' 3x3 team in the Paris Olympics.

Charles, the 2012 league MVP with Connecticut, is an eight-time All-Star who led the league in rebounds in four seasons and in scoring twice. She ranks second all-time in rebounds, trailing only Sylvia Fowles.

Charles says she applauds the league's transition to new stars, including Howard in Atlanta, and Caitlin Clark's national impact. Clark's visit to Atlanta on Friday with the Indiana Fever attracted 17,575 fans to State Farm Arena, a Dream franchise record for a home game. The Fever beat the Dream 91-79, overcoming a season-high 24 points from Charles.

“I think it’s more a testament to just a new generation coming in,” Charles said of Clark. The demand for tickets led the Dream to move the game from their usual Gateway Center Arena, which has a capacity of 3,500, to the home of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks.

“You know, like I said, I’ve been in awe of Caitlin Clark and just her voice, her maturity, her professionalism and just what she’s able to generate," Charles said. "Yeah, they’re coming out to see her, but they’re also able to come out and see us and become fans of us as well for those who are just watching the game because of her greatness. So it’s really sweet to just see how it all unfolds, the progression of the league from where it started in 2010.”

After leading Atlanta with 19 points in its 96-75 home loss to New York on Sunday, Charles is averaging 13.8 points and 8.8 rebounds. Charles said her first season in Atlanta has been “really a blessing” and she has enjoyed her reunion with Wright, her former teammate for three seasons with the Liberty, despite the team’s fall below .500.

“Tanisha always says we don’t focus on what we don’t have, but who we have,” Charles said, “Who we have is always more than enough. Those are her exact words. So just remaining confident within ourselves, just trying to go out and execute the game plan.”

Wright knows the 6-foot-4 Charles expects to help fill the scoring void left by Howard's injury. Wright said that expectation is not diminished even though Charles is 35 and with her sixth WNBA team, following stints with Connecticut, New York, Washington, Phoenix and Seattle.

“I think Tina’s mentality always has been, always will be, to be dominant,” Wright said Sunday. “Because that’s what she’s been throughout her career. I mean, Tina could be 45 playing and think and believe she’s going to be the most dominant player on the court at all times.”

Charles has awards and statistics to bolster her confidence. She is 58 points away from tying Tamika Catchings for third on the all-time WNBA scoring list, behind Diani Taurasi and Tina Thompson.

Her resume earned Charles immediate credibility with her new Atlanta teammates. Allisha Gray, averaging 14.9 points, says Charles has joined forward Naz Hilmon as a team leader.

“Tina fits the role well," Gray said. "Tina is the most experienced on the team. I mean, she’s been in the league for a while, so I know she’s seen and been through many things. Tina is a big, big part of our team and a great leader as well.”

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) battles Atlanta Dream center Tina Charles (31) for a rebound in the first half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, June 21, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

FILE - Atlanta Dream center Tina Charles shoots a free-throw against the Los Angeles Sparks during a WNBA basketball game, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Long Beach, Calif. Atlanta Dream veteran center Tina Charles, the 2012 WNBA MVP, is closing in on the No. 3 spot on the league's all-time scoring list as she tries to protect the team's playoff spot while Rhyne Howard is out indefinitely with an ankle injury. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis, File)

FILE - Atlanta Dream center Tina Charles plays against the Los Angeles Sparks during a WNBA basketball game, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Long Beach, Calif. Atlanta Dream veteran center Tina Charles, the 2012 WNBA MVP, is closing in on the No. 3 spot on the league's all-time scoring list as she tries to protect the team's playoff spot while Rhyne Howard is out indefinitely with an ankle injury. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis, File)

ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Subsanador won the inaugural $1 million California Crown by a head over two Bob Baffert-trained colts in a photo finish at Santa Anita on Saturday.

Argentine-bred Subsanador ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.68. National Treasure was second and Newgate was another nose back in third on a day that featured top-level racing against a backdrop of big-name musicians and elevated food in an effort to boost the sagging sport in California.

“Racing needs these things to succeed,” winning trainer Richard Mandella said. “Racing has gotten too everyday and so to make a big day and get excitement going, that's what we need to do. Get people back in here.”

The victory landed Mandella and fellow Hall of Famer, jockey Mike Smith, in the winner's circle, where Cher was part of the trophy presentation.

“It was pretty exciting,” Mandella said of meeting the singer and Oscar-winning actor. “Been a big fan all these years.”

Earlier, Smith won the $750,000 California Crown Eddie D Stakes.

Subsanador paid $14.20 to win as the third choice in the field of six that included three Baffert horses. His other entry, 3-2 favorite Muth, finished last.

“We just got beat,” Baffert said. “Muth didn’t bring his ‘A’ game. He just didn’t fire. The other two horses ran their hearts out.”

Subsanador stalked National Treasure along the inside through both turns and went two-wide into the stretch. Smith went to a left-handed whip at the eighth pole and Subsanador dug in to overtake National Treasure approaching the wire.

“He doesn't have a big turn of foot, so I tried to use his early speed to my advantage and get him on the lead,” National Treasure jockey Flavien Prat said. “He just didn't have enough to hold off the winner.”

Subsanador earned an automatic entry to the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar in November. Mandella said the colt would likely be pointed toward that race at the two-day world championships near San Diego.

In other races:

— Cabo Spirit, a 24-1 shot, led all the way in winning the $750,000 California Crown John Henry Turf Championship by a length. Ridden by Abel Cedillo, he ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.26 and paid $51.20 to win. “The plan was always to get to the front and then try to slow down,” Cedillo said. “That's exactly what we did.” There Goes Harvard was second and Master Piece was another head back in third.

— First Peace won by 1 1/2 lengths. He ran 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course in 1:11.56. Sent off as the 9-5 favorite in the field of 11, First Peace paid $5.80 to win under Smith. Air Force Red was second and Britain-bred King of Gosford was third.

It wasn't just about the racing.

A popup version of West Hollywood hotspot Delilah was the site of trackside performances by Shaboozey and Lil Yachty, with Los Angeles Dodgers teammates Walker Buehler and Jack Flaherty in the crowd. Chef Evan Funke set up an outpost of his eponymous celebrity haven. Wally's, another Beverly Hills eatery, dished out its specialties.

General admission was $25 and box seats were as high as $1,300. The California Crown and two other stakes races were shown nationally on CNBC.

AP horse racing: https://apnews.com/hub/horse-racing

In this handout provided by Benoit Photo, Kretz Racing's Cabo Spirit and Abel Cedillo, right, win the Grade II $750,000 California Crown John Henry Turf Championship, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. (Benoit Photo via AP)

In this handout provided by Benoit Photo, Kretz Racing's Cabo Spirit and Abel Cedillo win the Grade II $750,000 California Crown John Henry Turf Championship, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. (Benoit Photo via AP)