Brittney Griner‘s twelfth year in the WNBA was filled with big changes and even bigger questions about what lies ahead.
After spending her entire professional career with the Phoenix Mercury, the former No. 1 overall pick parted ways with the team in the offseason. She signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Dream, worth $214,446, stepping in as the team’s starting center.
But a mid-season injury forced a shift. Once healthy, Griner returned in a reserve role under head coach Karl Smesko, as the Dream eventually bowed out in the first round of the playoffs following a loss to the Indiana Fever.
Despite the early exit, Griner still found herself in the playoff spotlight-just not in the way she might have hoped.
A’ja Wilson breaks into the top three for postseason blocks
During Game 3 of the semifinal matchup between the Las Vegas Aces and the Fever, A’ja Wilson made history by passing Griner on the WNBA’s all-time playoff blocks leaderboard.
“A’ja Wilson has passed Brittney Griner for 3rd all-time on Playoffs Blocks List ,” the league shared on X.
Wilson‘s three blocks in that game moved her into third place, bumping Griner down the rankings. Still, Griner remains just 12 blocks behind Candace Parker, who holds second place. Whether she’ll get the chance to catch up remains to be seen.
Now 34, Griner heads into free agency. Her next move-whether staying in Atlanta or signing elsewhere-will determine if she can return to postseason contention.
This past season, she posted career-low numbers, averaging 9.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in just over 20 minutes per game.
While Wilson pushes forward in her pursuit of another title, Griner faces a critical offseason that could shape the closing chapter of her Hall of Fame-worthy career.
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