This WNBA season has seen several established All-Stars face unexpected setbacks, missing midseason honors due to uneven play and weaker statistics. Brittney Griner’s struggles were especially understandable, given her transition from Phoenix Mercury to Atlanta Dream as a free agent in the offseason. At 34 years old, Griner was adapting to a new team environment and system that demanded she expand her game to include more perimeter play and three-point shooting.
Her adjustment was visible and often difficult. After strong starts scoring 18 and 21 points in early games, Griner’s scoring frequently dipped into single digits, accompanied by fewer shot attempts and fewer minutes on the court. Despite the Dream’s continued success, Griner’s contributions lagged behind expectations. Prior to the All-Star break, she posted career lows with averages of 10.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 2.6 free throw attempts in under 24 minutes per game.
Impact of Griner’s Slow Start and Coaching Response
Her gameplay appeared sluggish and tentative, with her typical smooth jumper often falling short. At 6-foot-9, Griner’s ordinarily measured pace seemed overly slowed by a lack of confidence in the new system. Following a disappointing loss to the Dallas Wings where she scored only two points on three attempts, Atlanta head coach Karl Smesko made it clear that the team needed to better incorporate Griner’s strengths.
“That’s gonna be on me. We gotta find her a way to get her some more deep touches. Says they can’t forget about the post presence/it would have helped today when shooting was down.” — Karl Smesko, Atlanta Dream Head Coach
Smesko’s commitment to increasing Griner’s involvement signaled a crucial turning point, acknowledging that maintaining the Dream’s effective outside shooting should not come at the cost of leveraging their star’s interior game.
Turnaround After the All-Star Break Spurs Renewed Confidence
After the All-Star break, Brittney Griner began to find her rhythm again. Whether it was rest, extra practice with her support team, or motivation from returning to Phoenix – where she was honored by the Mercury organization and their community – Griner’s performance improved noticeably. In the first post-break game, she scored 17 points on 8-for-12 shooting, added eight rebounds, and helped lead Atlanta to a 90-79 victory.
Griner’s momentum continued into a significant win over the Minnesota Lynx, who suffered their first home regular-season loss. She scored a season-high 22 points, grabbed four rebounds, and equaled a season-best three assists. In 30 minutes on the court, Griner outscored her teammates by 13 points, driving a narrow 90-86 win for the Dream.
Improved Play Style Reflects Greater Comfort and Leadership
Griner’s recent game demonstrated her operating with much greater ease around the basket. She played fluidly, making quick, assured decisions and smoothly scoring over defenders. Her scoring ability also allowed her to become a playmaker, effectively passing out of double teams and setting up teammates for three-pointers on multiple occasions. This return to her familiar form has energized the Dream’s frontcourt.
In the three games following the All-Star break, she has averaged 16 points on an efficient 60 percent shooting, playing nearly 27 minutes each game. This level of output matches the expectations the Dream had when signing her and signifies a renewed offensive threat for the team.
Griner’s Rising Role Amid Team Injuries and Upcoming Challenges
This resurgence could not have come at a better time for Atlanta, which has been without key player Rhyne Howard since Howard suffered a knee injury on July 11. Griner’s increased production helped the Dream post a 3-2 record in the five road games played without Howard. Looking ahead, the Dream face back-to-back home games against the Golden State Valkyries and Dallas Wings, two teams known for deploying smaller lineups, providing further opportunities for Griner to maximize her impact inside the paint.
Brittney Griner’s revitalized presence has injected strength and versatility into the Atlanta Dream’s roster just when it is most needed, raising hopes for a strong finish to the season and a deeper playoff run.