Exciting WNBA Development for Brittney Griner, Atlanta Dream Announced After Friday's Win

The Dream now joins the 30-8 Minnesota Lynx and the 26-14 Las Vegas Aces as the third team that has clinched a playoff berth thus far. The Phoenix Mercury, 24-14, also booked their spot in the postseason after Atlanta's win.

Brittney Griner Remains with Second Unit for Dream

Griner turned in an efficient performance against the Wings on Friday. The nine-time All-Star registered 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting, a rebound and two assists in 17 minutes of action.

It is worth noting that Griner did not start in this one yet again, marking the ninth straight game that the 34-year-old has come of the bench for the Dream.

After being Atlanta’s starting center for the better part of the season, Griner was demoted to a bench role upon her return from a three-game injury absence earlier this month. She has since remained with the second unit.

Dream head coach Karl Smesko previously stated that he remains unsure if Griner will be able to reclaim her starting role.

“She’s done a really good job coming off the bench,” Smesko said on Aug. 21. “As for going forward, that’s still up in the air. There’s times where I’d like to see BG on the floor more.

“We’re not going to let anybody know when we’re going to start her, but she can be back as a starter or she could come off the bench. She seems to like coming off the bench and is doing well, but I’m not committed to anything.”

The Dream have gone 6-3 in the nine games that Griner has come off the bench, which appears to indicate that this move has paid dividends for the squad. Griner seems to have no issue with her new role, so it would not be a surprise if Smesko sticks with his current rotation moving forward.