Brittney Griner is no stranger to controversy, and she’s never been one to hold her tongue. In a fiery showdown on September 17, during the Phoenix Mercury vs. Los Angeles Sparks game, the 33-year-old basketball star decided she’d had enough, both on and off the court. Griner, who has previously seen more action than a Michael Bay movie, found herself tossed from the game in the second quarter after an altercation with the Sparks’ Rickea Jackson.
Now, you might think, “Okay, players get ejected all the time.” But this wasn’t your garden-variety spat. No, this was the WNBA edition of ‘hold me back!’ as Griner decided to express herself—though maybe not in the most sportsmanlike way—by flicking her hand in Jackson’s face. And let’s be real, no one ever reacts calmly to a face flick. Jackson, fueled by the same energy as someone who got cut in line at Starbucks, stormed over to confront Griner, and in seconds, it escalated faster than the price of courtside seats. Punches were thrown, and officials and players alike scrambled to break up the scuffle before it turned into a full-on brawl.
As if the drama on the court wasn’t enough, Griner had something to say to her critics afterward. And by “something,” we mean a whole lot. The Olympic champ, who spent time in a Russian prison (yes, you read that right), took to social media to blast those who dared question her. “Keep talking from your couches,” Griner posted on X.com (you know, that thing we used to call Twitter). “Y’all wouldn’t last a minute in my shoes.”
And she’s not wrong! Most of us couldn’t last a minute in her size 17s, let alone handle the pressure of being an international star and an Olympic champion. Griner, who’s lived through more drama than a soap opera, added, “I play with passion. If you can’t handle that, maybe you should find another sport to watch.” Ouch. That burn needs an ice pack.
Ejected and Electrifying
Griner’s dismissal left the Crypto.com Arena buzzing with both boos and gasps. Phoenix Mercury fans, clutching their nachos and foam fingers, watched in disbelief as their star player was escorted off the court. And it wasn’t just Griner who took the early exit—Jackson was also ejected after the two players went from trash talk to trade blows. The officials, clearly trying to keep the peace, showed no hesitation in sending both players to the showers early.
Despite losing their star, the Mercury managed to keep things together just long enough to edge out the Sparks 85-81, claiming their 19th win of the season. It was a nail-biter, but hey, drama makes the WNBA even more watchable, right?
Griner’s Season Finale?
Now the big question: What’s next for Griner? She’ll have to sit out the Mercury’s next match as they prepare to take on the Seattle Storm. And no, it’s not the kind of storm you’d need an umbrella for—this team means business. The Storm, currently holding down third place in the Western Conference, are looking to rain on the Mercury’s parade (pun totally intended).
The stakes are high as the WNBA playoffs loom large. While Griner takes a timeout, the Mercury will be battling it out at home at the Footprint Center in Arizona, hoping to continue their winning streak. With the playoffs around the corner and tensions rising, let’s just hope Griner’s next big move is a slam dunk and not another fistfight.
One thing’s for sure—whether she’s shooting hoops or shooting back at her critics, Brittney Griner keeps us all on the edge of our seats. So, the next time you think about criticizing her, just remember: Y’all wouldn’t last a minute in her shoes… and she’ll be the first to remind you of that.