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WNBA Team Cuts Ties With Former Award Winner Hours After Loss to Fever

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Reign Amurao | Last updated May 11, 2025 8:00 AM ET

The Atlanta Dream couldn't end their WNBA preseason on a high note against the Indiana Fever. The Dream had an 81-76 loss as their star player, Brittney Griner, only played for two minutes. Shortly after the defeat, the Atlanta-based team waived one of its players.

The Dream decided to move on and start the 2025 WNBA season without Ashley Joens. The former Dallas Wings guard played eight minutes on Saturday and had five points on 25% shooting from the field.

The organization announced the roster move after letting two other players go. The Dream waived forward Maria Gakdeng and guard Emani Jefferson.

Joens was a former second-round pick in 2023 by the Dallas Wings. Before she was drafted into the league, she collected significant honors. The 6-foot guard was a three-time winner of the Cheryl Miller Award, a four-time First-team All-Big 12 and the Big 12 Player of the Year in 2023.

While she was a decorated player in college, she has struggled to secure a spot in a WNBA roster.

In her rookie season, Joens played for three different basketball teams. The forward appeared in nine games for the Wings, two games for the Las Vegas Aces and eight games for the Phoenix Mercury.

Heading into their preseason game against Indiana, Griner talked about how Joens is a player who deserves to have a spot on the roster.

"She’s a professional," Griner said. "She definitely deserves to be in this league and she’s just a joy to be around as well."

The two briefly played together for the Mercury in 2023.

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

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