Brittney Griner Shines as Atlanta Dream Surge in WNBA Standings
Brittney Griner delivered a stellar performance off the bench, contributing significantly to the Atlanta Dream's 88-72 victory over the Connecticut Sun. Head coach Karl Smesko lauded Griner's impact, stating she's "playing her best basketball of the year." The Dream's win propels them to second place in the WNBA standings.
Griner's Dominant Performance
In just 21 minutes of play, Griner scored 17 points, shooting 7-11 from the field and 3-3 from the free-throw line. She also added 4 rebounds and 4 blocks to her impressive stat line. Her performance underscored her importance to the Dream's success.
Dream's Playoff Push and Record-Breaking Season
With a 30-14 record, the Atlanta Dream have become only the sixth team in franchise history to reach 30 regular-season wins. They can secure the number two playoff seed if the Las Vegas Aces fall to the Los Angeles Sparks. Rhyne Howard also contributed significantly with 15 points, while Brionna Jones and Allisha Gray each added 13 points.
Rhyne Howard Joins Elite Company
Rhyne Howard further cemented her place in WNBA history by hitting three of seven attempts from beyond the arc, becoming just the ninth player in league history with at least 100 made 3-pointers in a season. Her sharpshooting provides a crucial element to the Dream's offensive attack.
Griner's Climbing the All-Time Rebound List
Brittney Griner continues to climb the WNBA's all-time rebounding list. With her first rebound against the Sun, she surpassed Hall of Famer Swin Cash to move into 16th place with 2,522 career rebounds. She now has 2,525 career rebounds, proving her status as one of the league's premier rebounders.
Coach Smesko's Praise for Griner's Leadership
Coach Smesko highlighted Griner's leadership role within the team. "BG [Brittney Griner] is so well-respected, not just within our team, but throughout the whole WNBA. So, when she speaks, everyone listens," Smesko said. He added, "She has been doing a great job for us, coming off the bench and being a spark for us right away."
Griner's Focus on the Playoffs
Looking ahead to the playoffs, Griner emphasized the importance of maintaining focus. "You got to have all the focus on the playoffs, you are going to be on the road at times," Griner said. "You are not going to get calls like you did in regular season, so you have to be able to play and stay focused. When things go out of whack, it’s about pulling everyone together and having that one-track mind."
