In a preseason matchup that quickly boiled over into one of the most heated exchanges of the young WNBA season, connect star Brittney Griner and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart were both ejected in the second quarter during Sunday’s last Pre season game .
The incident erupted with 6:42 remaining in the second quarter, as the Sun held a narrow 38-35 lead. What began as a physical battle under the basket escalated when Griner and Stewart became entangled while fighting for rebounding position. According to officials, Stewart delivered a hard forearm shiver that Griner interpreted as intentional, prompting the 6-foot-9 center to shove Stewart backward. Stewart responded with a heated shove of her own, leading to both players being assessed double technical fouls and immediate ejections.
Teammates from both sides rushed to separate the stars, with Connecticut Sun players Alyssa Thomas and DiJonai Carrington stepping in to de-escalate the situation. The arena, which was about two-thirds full for the preseason contest, erupted in a mix of boos and gasps as the two marquee talents exited the court.
“It got chippy fast,” said Sun head coach Stephanie White in a post-ejection interview. “This is preseason, but these are elite competitors. Emotions are high, and sometimes that physicality crosses the line. We’re glad no one was seriously injured.”
Griner, who has been vocal about her physical style of play since returning to the league, walked off shaking her head while Stewart appeared visibly frustrated, gesturing toward the Mercury bench. Neither player spoke to the media immediately after the game.
The altercation overshadowed what had been a competitive, entertaining preseason tilt. The Sun, relying on their trademark defense and balanced scoring, eventually pulled away for a 92-78 victory. Marina Mabrey led Connecticut with 19 points, while Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu added 17 points in Stewart’s absence.
League officials are expected to review the incident for possible additional fines or suspensions, though preseason games typically see more leniency. For Griner and Stewart—two of the WNBA’s most dominant and recognizable faces—this early flare-up raises questions about how physical the upcoming regular season could become.
Fans on social media were divided, with some praising the intensity and others calling for cooler heads. As the WNBA preseason winds down, this fiery chapter serves as a reminder that even exhibition games carry real stakes when elite talent collides.