Brittney Griner Draws WNBA Punishment After Incident With Angel Reese During Dream Reunion The matchup between the Atlanta Dream and the Connecticut Sun was expected to be a key moment for Brittney Griner, who previously played for the Dream before joining the Sun. However, the game’s most notable moment involved an incident between Griner and Angel Reese, which drew attention to the league’s enforcement of new rules. The clash occurred in the fourth quarter, sparking discussions about officiating and player conduct. With 7:43 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Atlanta Dream led the Connecticut Sun 68-65. The tension escalated when Reese, playing for the Dream, engaged with Griner under the basket after a missed shot. Officials ruled that Griner had wrapped her hand around Reese’s arm, causing the Dream forward to fall to the floor. The call resulted in Griner being assessed her first Flagrant 1 foul of the 2026 season, sending Reese to the free-throw line, where she converted one of two attempts. The incident highlighted the league’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) rules, which impose stricter penalties for flagrant fouls. A Flagrant 1 foul carries an automatic $500 fine and one flagrant point, while a Flagrant 2 results in a $1,000 fine, two flagrant points, and an automatic ejection. Players who accumulate four flagrant points during the season face a one-game suspension. Griner now has one flagrant point, and three more would trigger an automatic suspension. The ruling also placed Griner’s situation in the context of broader league efforts to address inconsistent officiating and rising physicality. Last season, the WNBA faced criticism for perceived leniency in calling fouls, particularly in high-stakes games.#angel_reese #wnba #brittney_griner #connecticut_sun #atlanta_dream
Brittney Griner Signs Seven-Figure Deal with Connecticut Sun Ahead of Relocation Ten-time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner has secured a seven-figure contract to join the Connecticut Sun, as confirmed by sources to ESPN on Friday. The Sun officially announced the one-year deal with Griner on Saturday, though the exact financial terms remained undisclosed. The move marks a significant step for the franchise as it prepares for its final season in Connecticut before relocating to Houston in 2027. Griner, a 35-year-old Houston native, played collegiately at Baylor and has long been associated with the city, making the relocation a natural progression for her career. Griner will join a young core being developed by the Sun, which includes Connecticut’s first-round draft picks Leila Lacan, Saniya Rivers, and Aneesah Morrow. The team has also acquired Diamond Miller and Aaliyah Edwards to bolster its roster. Free agent Kennedy Burke, who previously spent two seasons with the New York Liberty, has also agreed to a one-year deal with the Sun. Burke, a key player in the Liberty’s 2024 championship run, brings experience and leadership to the squad. Griner’s professional journey has been defined by both domestic and international success. A 6-foot-9 center, she is a six-time All-WNBA selection, seven-time All-Defensive team member, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, eight-time blocks leader, and two-time scoring champion. Her career began with the Phoenix Mercury, where she was selected first overall in 2013. The Mercury won a championship in 2014, and Griner became a cornerstone of the team. However, her tenure with Phoenix ended in 2023 when she joined the Atlanta Dream, marking a new chapter in her career. Last season with the Dream was a stark contrast to her previous dominance.#brittney_griner #connecticut_sun #leila_lacan #saniya_rivers #aneesah_morrow
