The clear plastic face mask, which has become well known around the basketball world, covering her face, Tina Charles might have looked different when she stepped out onto the court Friday night against the Chicago Sky. But her game was familiar as ever, as she churned out yet another double-double to lead the New York Liberty to their sixth straight victory, moving the team to 10-4, a mark they haven’t achieved since 2001.

As Charles put it, wearing the mask was, “very difficult.” “The toughest part was since it’s plastic and you start sweating, it gets really slidy”, she continued. “It starts going up and down. No matter how tight you put the velcro, it still goes up and down. So that was an adjustment. But over time I’ll be fine.”

It might have been an adjustment, but not too great of one to prevent her from scoring 21 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, her third straight double-double, and 10th of the season. It was a performance worthy of the Player of the Month Award she received before the game for her stellar play back in May. Tonight’s performance, along with her near triple-double a few days ago against Atlanta, and the six-game 20-point streak she’s currently on, puts her on pace to add another of those trophies to her ever-growing case.

Charles’ strong showing tonight was even more special as it came against another of the league’s brightest stars: Elena Delle Donne. In fact, Delle Donne actually had the performance of the night. Her 31 points, eight of which came in the final frame as she lead the Sky’s late charge, and 8 rebounds, were brilliant. Unfortunately for Chicago, they just weren’t quite enough, as EDD’s last second attempt clanged off the rim, solidifying New York’s victory.

“You know, we had our best defender on her with length throughout most of the game and she still canned shots,” Liberty Head Coach Bill Laimbeer said of Delle Donne postgame. “She’s an Olympian. Sometimes they’re gonna have games like that. Hopefully you can weather the storm and make enough plays on the offensive end to outscore them. And tonight we were fortunate to do that.”

In a league with as much talent as the WNBA, stars are often on the court at the same time. However, Charles vs. Delle Donne was highly anticipated because they play directly against each other, their one-on-one battles going from end to end. Tonight, the show more than lived up to the billing.

First it was Delle Donne’s two threes right in Charles’ face to start the game.

You definitely try to go tit for tat when you’re playing against great players throughout this league. She’s a great player. She played really well tonight for her team. She did everything she needed to do to put her team in the best position to win, she just didn’t hit the last shot. – Tina Charles, to WNBA.com, on Elena Delle Donne

Then there was Charles clowning Delle Donne with a nasty pump fake and driving the lane for a smooth finger roll.

All through walk through just preparation, just talking about spots on the floor (Tina) likes to get the ball and what we’re gonna have to do to adjust. She’s a player you’re not gonna shut down, but try to contain. Maybe send double teams, you never know. – Elena Delle Donne, pregame, to WNBA.com, on Tina Charles

All-in-all, the two future Olympic teammates made Friday’s affair one to remember. From opening tip to the final buzzer, the two superstars lead their teams in an exciting, hard-fought game that went down to the wire. No one can ask for anything more.

But while all that competitiveness was focused against one another tonight, Charles and Delle Donne will soon be teaming up in Rio, as they look to lead the U.S. to another Olympic Gold Medal. Opposing countries better hope the duo doesn’t display the level of play they showed tonight down to Brazil, otherwise the U.S. will have little trouble bringing home the hardware.

Delle Donne chuckled when asked about that transition from fierce competition against each other to being teammates. “I think we’re all pretty good at focusing on our WNBA teams and when the Olympics come, it’s time to be teammates.

Looking further down the line, five years to be exact, Charles and Delle Donne could once again find themselves together. Not on a team, but a list: The WNBA’s Top 25@25. Neither Charles nor EDD were named to the Top 20@20 list that came out a few days ago, but as young stars, each with an MVP, their prospects for the expanded list in five years looks promising.

Unsurprisingly, neither is too focused on that possibility right now, however.

“You know if it happens, it happens. That’s not something I dwell on,” Charles said about being on a 25@25 list. “I never needed an accolade to know how much of a player I am and what I mean to the teams that I’ve been on and where I am on my career. So I really congratulate everyone that made that list. If it happens, if it’s in god’s will, it happens. But if not, I still know I make an impact every time I step on that court. And that’s what matters to me.”

As for Delle Donne? “I’m even excited about the 20. It’s amazing,” she remarked. “The accomplishments Cappie’s been through, championships she’s won. So, hopefully, you know, win a couple championships you can get on the list.”

Sounds like a plan.