Brittney Griner lands back on injury report before Sun-Liberty showdown

Brittney Griner lands back on injury report before Sun-Liberty showdown originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Connecticut Sun may be staring at a brutal frontcourt problem before Saturday’s matchup with the New York Liberty. Connecticut listed Brittney Griner as questionable because of a lingering left knee injury. Forward Aaliyah Edwards also received a questionable designation with a left ankle injury.

Losing either player would be damaging. Losing both against Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and a surging Liberty team could leave the Sun facing one of their most difficult challenges of the season.

Connecticut will host New York at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday at Mohegan Sun Arena. The Sun enter the game at 8-24 after suffering their sixth loss in seven games, while the Liberty have won eight of their last 10.

Brittney Griner’s knee remains a major concern

Griner has been dealing with the knee issue for nearly a month. The 35-year-old center sustained the injury during Connecticut’s 72-63 loss to the Phoenix Mercury on July 19. She played 31 minutes before exiting and subsequently missed four consecutive games.

Connecticut lost all four.

Griner returned Aug. 7 against her former team and helped the Sun earn a much-needed victory over Phoenix. She played 24 minutes in that contest, but her workload has remained something to monitor. The nine-time All-Star was questionable before Thursday’s game against the Atlanta Dream. Griner ultimately played, but she logged only 19 minutes and finished with five points, seven rebounds and four assists in a 104-69 loss.

Her remaining on the injury report suggests Connecticut is not yet comfortable declaring the knee issue resolved. Griner has played in only 18 of the Sun’s first 32 games this season. Despite the interruptions, she is averaging 13.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks while shooting 52.7% from the field.

Those numbers prove she can still control stretches of games. The larger question is how often her body will allow her to do it.

Aaliyah Edwards’ status makes the situation worse

Griner is not Connecticut’s only frontcourt concern. Edwards also could miss Saturday’s game because of a left ankle injury. Her presence would become even more important if Griner cannot play.

The Sun already face a significant size and rebounding challenge against New York. Jones remains one of the league’s most imposing interior players, while Stewart can score from nearly anywhere on the floor. Connecticut needs Griner’s rim protection to discourage drives and contest Jones around the basket. It needs Edwards’ mobility and physicality to defend Stewart, rebound and create second opportunities.

Without both, the Sun could be forced to rely heavily on Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Raegan Beers while using smaller lineups for extended stretches.

That approach could improve Connecticut’s pace, but it also would leave the team vulnerable on the glass and inside the paint. The Liberty have recently overwhelmed opponents with their rebounding. Giving Jones and Stewart repeated second-chance opportunities would be a recipe for another long afternoon.

Connecticut cannot afford another early collapse

Thursday’s loss demonstrated how quickly games can get away from the Sun. Atlanta scored 104 points and won by 35. Angel Reese controlled the interior with 15 rebounds, while the Dream repeatedly turned Connecticut’s defensive breakdowns into easy scoring opportunities.

Now the Sun must prepare for an opponent with even more proven offensive weapons. New York owns a 21-14 record and recently defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 85-81. The Liberty nearly squandered a 28-point fourth-quarter lead, but Sabrina Ionescu made critical free throws to secure the victory.

The Liberty are dealing with injury concerns of their own. Satou Sabally is out while recovering from lingering concussion symptoms, Leonie Fiebich is sidelined by a foot injury and Ionescu is listed as questionable with a foot issue. That creates at least some hope for Connecticut.

New York, however, still can turn to Stewart, Jones, Marine Johannès and a deep collection of experienced contributors. Johannès recently scored a career-high 27 points while hitting seven 3-pointers in a 111-71 victory over the Las Vegas Aces. Connecticut cannot spend the opening quarter attempting to find its energy. The Sun must defend with urgency, limit turnovers and establish some offensive rhythm before New York begins dictating the game.

Griner’s availability could decide Connecticut’s approach

Griner’s final designation will affect almost every part of the Sun’s game plan. If she plays, Connecticut can work through her in the post and force Jones to defend rather than allowing her to roam near the rim. Griner also gives the Sun a reliable target when their perimeter offense stalls.

Her defensive impact might be even more important. Griner’s size allows Connecticut’s guards to apply more pressure knowing an elite shot-blocker is stationed behind them.

If she sits, the Sun will have to play faster and generate more offense from their guards and wings. Saniya Rivers and Leila Lacan could receive increased responsibility, while Connecticut may rely more heavily on transition opportunities.

Neither option guarantees success against the Liberty.

That is what makes Griner’s latest injury update so concerning. The Sun are not merely waiting to see whether one player will be available. They are waiting to learn which version of their team can take the floor.

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Sun need to prioritize Griner beyond one game

Connecticut’s 8-24 record makes a late playoff push increasingly unlikely. That reality should influence how the organization handles Griner.

The Sun would benefit from having their veteran center against New York, but risking further damage to her knee for one regular-season game would make little sense. Griner already has missed 14 games and recently returned from a four-game absence caused by the same injury.

Connecticut must determine whether she is truly ready for another physical matchup. If Griner plays, her minutes could remain limited. If she sits, the Sun will have to find another way to survive against one of the WNBA’s strongest frontcourts.

Either way, Saturday’s final injury report could shape the entire game before the ball is tipped.

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