WNBA Sends Strong Message on Brittney Griner
Veteran center Brittney Griner made her Atlanta Dream preseason debut Wednesday against the Washington Mystics. It's hard imagining it going any better.
While playing just 19 minutes, Griner scored 16 points while shooting 7-of-11. Griner sunk her two 3-point attempts and also grabbed 10 rebounds.
For good measure, she added three assists and a block.
After the performance, the official WNBA X account sent Griner major props for the way she played in her Dream debut.
"BG turned up the heat in her first run with the Dream!" the WNBA account posted.
"From dominating in the paint to knocking down threes, she did it all!"
Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner
© Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
With Griner on the court, the Dream outscored the Mystics by 21 points.
The Dream won the preseason matchup 80-70.
Griner is 34 years old, but if Wednesday's game is any indication, she will be a force for the Dream this season.
The Dream announced on Feb. 1 the team signed Griner in free agency. The nine-time All-Star spent the first 12 years of her WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury.
Last season, Griner averaged 17.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. The two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year also averaged 1.5 blocks per contest.
The Dream will host the Indiana Fever in another preseason matchup Saturday. Atlanta will open the regular season on the road against the Mystics on Friday, May 16.
Griner will play her first home regular season game with the Dream on Thursday, May 22. Atlanta will also visit her former home and the Mercury for the first time on July 23.
