Brittney Griner’s fiery temperament boiled over once again on Saturday night, resulting in a two-game suspension handed down by the WNBA following the Connecticut Sun’s 88-82 defeat to the Seattle Storm.
The incident occurred late in the fourth quarter with the Sun trailing by six. After a controversial no-call on a drive to the basket, the 6-foot-9 center confronted lead official Angelica Howard, gesturing emphatically and shouting in protest. Video circulating on social media shows Griner towering over the referee while appearing to make physical contact with her arm during the exchange. Howard quickly issued a technical foul, and Griner was ejected with 1:47 remaining.
League sources confirmed Sunday morning that Griner will sit out the Sun’s next two contests for “unsportsmanlike conduct and physical contact with a game official.” She will be eligible to return for next week’s matchup against the Las Vegas Aces.
Griner finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks before her ejection. Despite her strong individual effort, the Sun struggled to contain Storm guard Jewell Loyd, who exploded for 28 points. Connecticut fell to 4-5 on the season in what has been a surprisingly uneven start for a team many picked as a top contender.
Head coach Stephanie White expressed disappointment but stopped short of criticizing the league’s decision. “Brittney is a passionate competitor who wears her heart on her sleeve,” White said. “We’ll learn from this, support her, and move forward as a group.”
Griner, who joined the Sun in the offseason after years with the Phoenix Mercury, issued a brief statement through her representatives: “I got to do better controlling my emotions. Love my teammates and Sun fans. Can’t wait to get back on the court.”
The suspension comes at a critical time for Connecticut, which now faces a tough stretch without its star interior presence. Sun players rallied around their leader in the locker room, with veteran guard Marina Mabrey telling reporters, “We’ve got her back. We’ll handle business until BG returns.”
League officials emphasized player conduct remains a priority as the WNBA continues to grow in popularity. Griner’s absence is expected to test the Sun’s depth and resilience in the stacked Eastern Conference.