Brittney Griner returns as Sun get major boost before Fire matchup originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Connecticut Sun received some much-needed good news on Tuesday before taking the floor against the Portland Fire. After missing the team’s last two games with a left quad contusion, veteran center Brittney Griner was officially cleared to return to the lineup, giving Connecticut its biggest interior presence back at a critical point in the season.
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The Sun initially listed Griner as questionable on Monday’s injury report before upgrading her to probable on Tuesday morning. Just before tipoff, Connecticut made it official, announcing that the 10-time WNBA All-Star would be available against Portland. Griner’s return comes at an important time for a Sun team searching for consistency. Connecticut enters Tuesday with the league’s worst record at 5-18 and is playing its final home game before embarking on a challenging five-game road trip.
The team’s updated game status report also confirmed that rookie guard Ashlon Jackson would be unavailable because of a coach’s decision. Griner returns after arguably her best performance of the 2026 season.
In her most recent appearance on July 6, the 35-year-old dominated the Minnesota Lynx with 29 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks while shooting 11-for-14 from the field. The standout performance helped lift Connecticut to a dramatic 90-89 victory, one of the team’s signature wins of the year. That game also served as a reminder of the impact Griner can still have on both ends of the floor when healthy.
Limited all season for the Sun
Injuries have limited Griner to just 13 games during her first season in Connecticut. Earlier this year she missed time with a rib injury before suffering the quad contusion that sidelined her for the past two contests. Despite the missed time, Griner has remained one of the Sun’s most productive players. She is averaging 13.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.8 blocks per game while leading Connecticut in both scoring and blocked shots.
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The Sun signed Griner during the offseason hoping her championship experience could help guide a franchise looking to rebound after missing the playoffs in 2025. While Connecticut has struggled in the standings, Griner has continued to provide veteran leadership along with reliable production whenever she has been available.
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What’s next for Griner and Connecticut?
Tuesday’s matchup against the Fire gives Connecticut another opportunity to build momentum before the All-Star break and its upcoming road swing. Having Griner back in the lineup should provide a significant boost against a Portland team looking to capitalize on the Sun’s difficult season.
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For Connecticut, simply getting its star center back on the floor is one of the best pieces of news the organization has received in recent weeks, and it arrives at an ideal time as the team tries to finish the first half of the season on a positive note.
