Brittney Griner, in her inaugural season with the Atlanta Dream, has proven to be a defensive force while contributing offensively. However, a neck injury has jeopardized her participation, with reports indicating she will likely miss the Dream’s Thursday game against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena.
This neck injury has already kept Griner out of the last two Atlanta contests, including the matchup against her former team, Phoenix, last Friday and a game against Washington on Sunday. Before this recent absence, Griner had only missed two games all season, underscoring her typical reliability.
Though her current statistics with Atlanta do not mirror her dominant past performances, Griner leads the team in blocks, averaging 1.1 per game, and ranks second in rebounds, pulling down 5.6 boards per contest. Atlanta’s strong defensive presence, where they stand second in the Eastern Conference, is partly attributed to Griner’s impact.
With the Dream holding an 18-11 record, they remain notable contenders to unseat the New York Liberty from the top of the Eastern Conference. Maintaining key players like Griner, a 10-time All-Star and seven-time All-Defensive Team honoree, healthy is critical for their postseason aspirations. The team’s playoff success depends heavily on the availability of its core members.
Details on Brittney Griner’s Recent Ejection Against Dallas Wings
Before the injury sidelined her, Griner faced controversy during a July 30 road game against the Dallas Wings. Early in the third quarter, she was ejected after receiving two consecutive technical fouls. During this incident, the veteran center came uncomfortably close to a game official, which contributed to her ejection.
Despite Griner’s absence in the latter part of the match, Atlanta secured an 88-85 victory. Up until her ejection, she had contributed four points, four rebounds, one assist, and one block, demonstrating her value even in limited minutes.
The tension surrounding Griner’s injury combined with the earlier disciplinary incident adds to the Atlanta Dream’s current challenges as they attempt to maintain momentum heading into the postseason. The team‘s ability to adapt without their defensive anchor will significantly influence their playoff trajectory.