Brittney Griner passed a WNBA legend and keeps climbing the all-time rankings originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Brittney Griner has already secured her place among the greatest players in WNBA history. The Connecticut Sun center is a champion, a multiple-time Defensive Player of the Year, a perennial All-Star and one of the most dominant interior forces the league has ever seen. Now she can add another milestone to an already remarkable resume.
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During Connecticut’s game against the Indiana Fever on Saturday, Griner moved past one of the most respected players in league history and continued her climb up the WNBA’s all-time field goals made list. The achievement came in a difficult afternoon for the Sun, who fell 85-75 to Indiana at Mohegan Sun Arena. Despite the loss, Griner’s place in the record book became one of the game’s notable storylines.
Griner passed one of the WNBA’s all-time greats
Griner entered the contest needing just one basket to move ahead of Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings on the WNBA’s career field goals made leaderboard. She reached the milestone during the game, recording the 2,390th made field goal of her career and moving into 12th place all-time.
Following the game, the Sun celebrated the accomplishment on social media.
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“12th and still climbing. Brittney Griner now ranks 12th all-time in field goals made, moving ahead of Tamika Catchings.”
Passing Catchings is no small accomplishment. Few players have left a bigger impact on the WNBA than the former Indiana Fever superstar, who built a Hall of Fame career while becoming one of the most respected players the league has ever seen.
Now Griner has officially moved ahead of her on yet another all-time list.
Another reminder of Griner’s remarkable longevity
At 35 years old and in her 13th WNBA season, Griner continues to prove she remains a productive player. Against Indiana, she finished with 10 points on 5-of-11 shooting while adding four assists, two rebounds and two blocks in 22 minutes. The stat line wasn’t one of her biggest performances of the season, but it was enough to push her into another historic position.
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What’s especially impressive is how quickly Griner could continue climbing. Next on the list is former All-Star Cappie Pondexter, who sits in 11th place with 2,446 career field goals. Griner trails that mark by just 56 baskets. Given her current role in Connecticut’s offense, reaching that milestone later this season appears well within reach.
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The Hall of Fame case was settled long ago
While milestones are always worth celebrating, Griner’s legacy was established years ago. She entered the WNBA as one of the most highly anticipated prospects in league history and quickly transformed into one of the sport’s defining players.
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Over the course of her career, Griner has earned 10 All-Star selections, won two Defensive Player of the Year awards and helped lead a championship team. Her combination of size, skill and shot-blocking ability changed how opponents attacked the paint.
Even now, she remains one of Connecticut’s most important players. The Sun have endured a difficult start to the season and entered the week with a 2-10 record, but Griner has consistently been one of the team’s brightest spots. Through seven appearances, she is averaging 12.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.6 blocks per game.
Those numbers may not match the peak seasons that made her a superstar, but they show she still has plenty to contribute. And if history is any indication, she isn’t finished climbing the WNBA record books. With Pondexter now within striking distance and several more milestones ahead, Griner’s latest achievement may not be the last one fans celebrate this season.
