Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Brittney Griner Leaves Game in Final Minute Against Caitlin Clark

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated May 20, 2025 10:33 PM ET

After a dominant 35-point win over the Chicago Sky in the 2025 WNBA season opener, Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever fell back down to Earth in game two.

On Tuesday night, Brittney Griner and the new-look Atlanta Dream came into Gainbridge Fieldhouse and walked out with a 91-90 win over Clark and the Fever, Atlanta's first victory of the new season.

Taking an 11-point deficit into the fourth quarter, Indiana was able to storm all the way back to take a one-point lead with 21 seconds left. But Dream guard Rhyne Howard earned a pair of free throws with nine seconds to go, hitting both and giving Atlanta the lead for good.

However, the Dream were able to secure the win despite missing Griner, their All-Star center, for the final 21 seconds.

With the game tied at 89 apiece in the final minute of the game, Griner fouled Fever forward Aliyah Boston as she was going up for a shot, granting Boston two free throws. The former South Carolina standout missed the first but hit the second, giving Indiana a one-point lead.

With the foul, Griner picked up her sixth of the game, which is an automatic disqualification in both the WNBA and NBA. She was forced to watch the remaining 21 seconds from the bench, seeing her team secure a tough road win.

"Brittney Griner just fouled out with 21.7 seconds to go in this game," Forbes' Tony East wrote on X. "The foul sends Aliyah Boston to the foul line for 2 shots in an 89-89 game. Big FTs, obviously."

Brittney Griner just fouled out with 21.7 seconds to go in this game. The foul sends Aliyah Boston to the foul line for 2 shots in an 89-89 game. Big FTs, obviously.
— Tony East (@TonyREast) May 21, 2025

Griner still finished the game with a team-high 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting and eight rebounds. Clark, on the other hand, tallied a game-high 27 points on 9-of-20 shooting, five rebounds and 11 assists.

The Dream (1-1) will now head back to Atlanta, facing the Fever (1-1) yet again on Thursday evening.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: