Brittney Griner and the Atlanta Dream’s 2025 WNBA season ended differently than many expected. The Dream wrapped up the regular season with an impressive 30-14 record, securing the third seed for the playoffs. However, their postseason journey was cut short after a 2-1 series loss to the Indiana Fever, who notably played without Caitlin Clark.
Throughout her twelve-year career, Griner has solidified her place as one of the all-time greats in WNBA history. The former Phoenix Mercury center, a 10-time All-Star and 2014 WNBA champion, saw her role diminish during her first season with Atlanta in 2025. She finished the year on the bench, posting career-low averages of 9.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
While with the Mercury, Griner also competed internationally for UMMC Yekaterinburg in Russia between 2015 and 2022. Her time there ended abruptly in February 2022 when she was arrested at a Moscow airport after authorities found e-cigarette cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. Griner spent 293 days imprisoned before being released in a prisoner swap that December.
In February 2026, Griner finally retrieved her personal belongings from her Russian apartment, which included a handwritten photo, 600 Czech crowns, a picture with her wife Sherel, jewelry, and some cooking utensils she used while incarcerated. “Finally got my belongings back from my apartment in Russia,” Griner shared on Instagram, directing fans to a full unboxing video on her YouTube channel.
Following the 2025 season, Griner’s one-year contract worth $214,466 with the Dream expired, and she will enter unrestricted free agency. She is eligible to sign a new deal starting March 11, 2026, when the free agency period opens.
Fan Take:
This update on Brittney Griner not only highlights the resilience of one of the WNBA’s top stars but also underscores the evolving dynamics within the league. For fans, Griner’s upcoming free agency could shape the league’s competitive landscape and inspire hope for new chapters in her already remarkable career.
