Connecticut Sun center Brittney Griner was ejected late in Thursday night’s contest against the Atlanta Dream after a physical encounter left Dream forward Angel Reese on the floor.
The incident occurred during a scramble for a rebound in the paint with the game still competitive. Griner and Reese, two of the league’s most physical post players, became tangled while battling for position. As Reese tried to create space and pursue the loose ball, Griner’s arm made contact across Reese’s upper body and neck area, sending the Dream star hard to the court.
Officials immediately stopped play and reviewed the sequence. After examining the video, they assessed Griner with a flagrant foul. Moments later, with tempers flaring and words exchanged, Griner received a second technical foul and was ejected from the game. She left the floor under protest as teammates and coaches tried to de-escalate the situation.
Reese remained in the game after the play. She got up with assistance and continued contributing on both ends, using the moment as fuel. The Dream capitalized on the extra possession and free throws that followed, helping push the visitors ahead in a contest that featured several hard fouls and intense physicality throughout.
Griner, who has a history of physical play and prior ejections in her career, finished her night with limited production before the ejection. The Sun struggled to contain Atlanta’s frontcourt without their veteran center, as Reese and her teammates controlled the glass and interior scoring down the stretch.
The ejection added another chapter to the budding rivalry between Griner and Reese. The two had previously clashed in a June Commissioner’s Cup matchup that also produced a flagrant foul on Griner after a similar rebound tussle, though that earlier incident did not result in an ejection. Thursday’s version crossed the line in the eyes of the officials.
Postgame comments from both sides were measured. Dream players emphasized playing through contact, while Sun representatives expressed frustration with the call and the timing. The league is expected to review the play further for potential additional discipline.
The Atlanta Dream secured the victory, improving their standing in the Eastern Conference, while the Connecticut Sun dropped another hard-fought home contest. The physical nature of the game and the high-profile ejection ensured the matchup will be remembered long after the final score.
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