Brittney Griner’s exit from the Phoenix Mercury after 11 seasons has surprised many. Now with the Atlanta Dream, she is quickly integrating with her new teammates. Rhyne Howard, the Dream’s star player, praised Griner after their second game together, highlighting her strong impact on both offense and defense. Griner, who signed a one-year deal with Atlanta, is averaging 19.5 points and 8 rebounds per game early in the season. Howard, the 2022 Rookie of the Year, noted their potential for success this year, as the Dream started the season 1-1 following a narrow victory over the Indiana Fever.
Brittney Griner’s exit from the Phoenix Mercury remains a stunning development. She spent 11 seasons in the desert, playing alongside Diana Taurasi, the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer. However, Griner is quickly adapting to her role with the Atlanta Dream.
Rhyne Howard, Atlanta’s key playmaker and versatile star, spoke highly of Griner after only their second game together in the regular season.
“Having her on the court with me allows me to breathe easier because she’s a powerhouse on both ends of the court,” Howard remarked to reporters following a tight 91-90 victory over the Indiana Fever, as reported by The 3 Point Conversion. “She’s navigating a lot while trying to make my challenges easier, just as I aim to support her. It’s fantastic having her here; I believe we’ll accomplish great things this year. So stay tuned, it’s going to improve from here.”
Griner inked a one-year contract to join the Dream during the offseason. After just two games with Atlanta, she’s averaging 19.5 points and eight rebounds per game. In her last season with the Mercury, she averaged 17.8 points and 6.6 rebounds.
Howard, the top pick of the 2022 WNBA draft, is now in her fourth season as the cornerstone of the Dream. She was named Rookie of the Year in her debut season and has made two All-Star appearances. Last year, she posted averages of 17.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. The Dream kicked off their season with a 1-1 record following a thrilling win against the Fever on Tuesday.