Brittney Griner was looking forward to putting together a successful season with the Phoenix Mercury and while the team made the playoffs this year after missing the postseason in 2023, she revealed that she wasn’t fully able to get into a rhythm after a detrimental injury to start the year.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!During preseason, Griner suffered a serious toe fracture on her left foot and would miss the first 10 games of this regular season. Natasha Mack, who hadn’t been in the WNBA since 2021, filled in for the time being.
Eventually, Griner came back on June 7 vs. the Minnesota Lynx and finished the year strong, averaging 17.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. She was a WNBA All-Star as well as a gold medalist for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
After the Mercury’s first round playoff exit to the Lynx, the 6-foot-9 center said that the injury hindered her from returning to the 2021 version of herself when she was the runner-up for the WNBA MVP, but didn’t want that to be an excuse and knows she can get back there.
“I had spurts. Those 10 games with a broken toe put a damp on my parade, trying to get into my groove, it sucks,” Griner said. “At the same time, I am a professional athlete. I got to be able to get into it way quicker. We’re real close. My body feels better, feel better about the game.”
The Texas native was drafted in 2013 and became a WNBA champion a year later with Phoenix. Since gracing the league, she has been recognized a multitude of times as one of the most dominant players the W has ever seen.
But by being in the spotlight, she, her teammates and other stars around the league have dealt with a fair share of unwarranted criticism based on what they look like or the way they choose to live their lives. Hate boiled over this season from new fans who just got into the sport and have displayed racism and sexism on multiple instances.
Even though Griner acknowledges and condemns some fans who are spewing these types of horrid comments, she praised the other supporters who are both respectful and want to see the teams, players and league shine.
“I appreciate the new fans that respect the game, that are here to grow our league. Bringing people who may have never watched the W to a WNBA game so we can grow more fans. I appreciate them and the players that came in with a spark that they have playing at the level that they are playing at,” Griner said. “We need more players that are ready to put on a show, and ready to give a good product so we can keep growing each year. I am happy where the game is now versus when I came into the league.”
Griner is set to become a free agent as her one-year contract expires this offseason. Putting the rumors to bed of her possibly calling it a career, however, she blatantly clarified that she has no intentions of retiring and told the media after Game 2 on Wednesday, “I’ll let you know when I am retiring, it ain’t soon.”
A couple of days later, she showed she had the charisma and energy to keep going, looking forward to what the future holds for her.
Though she hasn’t come out and said that she will re-sign in Phoenix, she hinted that she will be back next season when talking about what the new players that are joining the team in the offseason should expect if they become a Mercury.
“Be ready to work because we are hungry, especially how everything ended in Minnesota. Some things are in our control and some things are not in our control. Be ready to work because we got a chip on our shoulder,” Griner said. “Be ready to be in an organization that’s going to care about you and your family as well, which is not always the case across the board but in Phoenix, it is. So get ready for a good time.”
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HEREÂ to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Alec Cipollini covers ASU Athletics, the Phoenix Mercury and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
