Brittney Griner News Comes at Unfortunate Time for Atlanta Dream

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Levi M. Dombro | Last updated Aug 1, 2025 2:35 PM ET

The Atlanta Dream are off to a 16-11 start in the 2025 WNBA season. They currently sit in fifth place in the standings with 17 games left in the regular season and have won three of their last four contests.

All-Stars Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard and Brionna Jones have led the way for Atlanta this season, but Howard is currently sidelined with a lingering knee injury. Starting guard Jordin Canada also missed the last game against the Dallas Wings with an illness.

Former WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Brittney Griner also left the game against the Dallas Wings early due to a neck injury, playing only 15 minutes in the contest.

Atlanta Dream Announce Their Injury Report Against the Phoenix Mercury

On Friday afternoon, USA Today Women's Sports Reporter Meghan L. Hall reported that Griner had been ruled out for Friday's contest against the Phoenix Mercury as she deals with a neck injury. This comes after she was reported to be doubtful on Thursday.

Griner has averaged 10.6 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Dream this season on 51.4% shooting from the floor. She has played in 25 of the team's 27 contests in 2025 but will be sidelined, along with Howard, for Friday's game against the Mercury.

Canada's injury status, as she battles back from an illness, has yet to be confirmed for the matchup against Phoenix.

Brittney Griner (neck) has been downgraded to OUT for tonight’s matchup against Phoenix.
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) August 1, 2025

Brittney Griner Injury News Comes at Unfortunate Time for Atlanta Dream

Griner's injury comes at an unfortunate time for Atlanta. The Dream are in fifth place in the WNBA standings, but with a win against the Mercury, they could jump into the top four and be positioned for homecourt advantage in the playoffs.

Phoenix also has a strong trio of frontcourt players that includes Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally and recently signed DeWanna Bonner, who spent the first part of the season with the Indiana Fever.

Without Griner in the lineup, the Mercury will have a big advantage in the frontcourt with their length. A win by Phoenix could put the Dream in danger of dropping to sixth in the standings if the Fever beat the Wings on Friday.

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

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