Brittney Griner just can’t get any postseason luck. After she and the Atlanta Dream lost to the Indiana Fever in the first round of the 2025 WNBA playoffs, Griner once again tasted playoff defeat just five months later.
Griner was part of Vinyl BC in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league. Her team finished with a 5-9 record in the 2026 season but still qualified for the playoffs as the sixth seed.
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Vinyl BC faced the third-seeded Laces BC in the first round of the Unrivaled playoffs and pulled off an upset, 82-69. However, in the semifinals on Monday, the squad played the top-seeded Phantom BC.
Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner reacts during a game.© Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
(© Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images)
Despite Phantom missing Defensive Player of the Year Aliyah Boston and guard Dana Evans, it was able to take down Vinyl, 83-75. Kelsey Plum exploded for 31 points for the No. 1 seed, while Tiffany Hayes added 19.
Dearica Hamby scored 30 for Vinyl BC, but the team’s next-best scorer was Rhyne Howard with 16. Griner played just five minutes in the contest and finished with two points and two rebounds.
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Griner, who expressed excitement ahead of the semifinals, was naturally disappointed with the result. However, she made sure to highlight that it was still a memorable experience for her.
“This experience was lit yo honestly,” Griner wrote on Instagram, along with several photos from the semifinal game. “The season ain’t end how we wanted but it’s still [expletive] no matter what.”
While it’s a frustrating turn of events for Griner, she’s clearly ready to move on and shift her focus to the next step.
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Griner is a free agent this 2026, and she previously expressed interest in returning to the Dream after the big season they had.
“I’m looking forward to it. Everybody on that team, it was just easy. Basketball was the main focus; we showed up, we hooped, and that’s all you can ask for,” Griner said when asked by Maria Clifton of Sports Illustrated if she’s looking forward to rejoining Atlanta in 2026.
“And I’m looking forward to being there again. I’m looking forward to just being in the city. The city was amazing. They welcomed me so well, and I had a blast.”
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As for the 2026 WNBA season, it’s still uncertain if there will be a season or if it will start on time. The WNBA and the players’ union are still negotiating a new CBA, causing delays and concerns about the new campaign.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
