Brittney Griner: Playing Today, WNBA Status, Age & Olympic Legacy
Brittney Griner stands as one of the most recognizable and accomplished names in women’s basketball. At 6′9″ (2.06 m), her presence on the court is imposing, but it’s her skill, longevity, and resilience that truly set her apart. In this article, we explore whether she is playing today, her current WNBA status and recent news, her age and biography, and her Olympic contributions — all in an SEO-friendly, user-focused format.
Introduction
Brittney Yevette Griner (born October 18, 1990) has carved a remarkable career in collegiate, professional, and international basketball. A dominant force from her Baylor days to her time with the Phoenix Mercury and now the Atlanta Dream, she’s also earned multiple Olympic gold medals with Team USA. Her journey hasn’t been without adversity — most notably her detention and subsequent release from Russia — but she remains a central figure in the WNBA and global women’s basketball.
Is Brittney Griner playing today?
As of September 2025, Brittney Griner is an active player in the WNBA, currently playing for the Atlanta Dream.
However, her availability and minutes can vary, depending on recent injuries or team decisions:
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Griner recently returned from a neck injury, coming off the bench in a limited capacity.
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For example, on August 14 (Rotowire report), she played 13 minutes, scoring two points, with two rebounds, one assist, and one block in a 74-66 win over the Mercury.
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On August 19, 2025, she suffered a nasal injury and exited the game against the Aces, though she returned later in the same game.
So while she is technically available and eligible to play today, her role may be limited (e.g. coming off the bench or restricted minutes) depending on her health and match-day decisions by the coach.
Recent WNBA News & Team Context
Move to Atlanta Dream
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In February 2025, Griner signed with the Atlanta Dream after 11 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury.
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Her move was viewed as a new chapter — giving her a fresh start with new teammates and coaching staff.
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The shift came amid speculation and commentary about her evolving role, both on and off the court. The Dream viewed her as a veteran anchor who could provide inside presence, leadership, and blocking/presence in the paint.
Performance & Statistics
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In the 2025 regular season so far, Griner has averaged about 9.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in ~20.9 minutes per game, per ESPN.
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Her career WNBA averages remain impressive: roughly 16.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game.
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She is among the all-time leaders in WNBA blocks, having reached 812 blocks in her career (third all-time behind Margo Dydek and Lisa Leslie).
Recent Challenges & Injuries
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Her neck injury earlier in the season led to a short absence and reduced minutes initially.
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The nasal injury in mid-August required her exit from a game, though she returned later, indicating resilience and a quick bounce-back.
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Coaches have used her minutes carefully, often bringing her off the bench as she regains full conditioning and rhythm.
How Old Is Brittney Griner?
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Brittney Griner was born on October 18, 1990.
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That makes her 34 years old as of September 2025, and she will turn 35 in October 2025.
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At her age, she combines veteran experience with maintained athleticism — something reflected in her still-solid per‐minute production.
Career Journey & Highlights
Here’s a quick chronology of Brittney Griner’s career trajectory:
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High School & College:
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Griner first dunked competitively in high school and gained national attention for her dunking ability and shot-blocking prowess.
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She played college basketball at Baylor University from 2009–2013. She led Baylor to an NCAA title in 2012 and earned multiple All-American honors.
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Notably, she is the only NCAA women’s basketball player to register at least 2,000 points and 500 blocks in a career.
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WNBA & Professional Career:
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Drafted first overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury.
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Won the WNBA championship in 2014 with the Mercury.
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Over her time with Phoenix, she established herself as a dominant interior presence (scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking).
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In 2023, after her release from Russian detention, she returned to play and showed strong form.
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Russian Detention & Return:
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In February 2022, Griner was detained in Russia due to cartridges of cannabis oil (vape cartridges) in her luggage.
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She was convicted and sentenced to nine years, but returned to the U.S. in December 2022 in a prisoner exchange.
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Her emotional return and subsequent reentry to the WNBA in 2023 marked a powerful comeback.
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Move to Atlanta Dream:
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As noted, she signed with Atlanta in early 2025, beginning a new chapter in her career.
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Olympic Career & International Play
Brittney Griner has also had a stellar international career playing for Team USA.
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She was part of the U.S. national women’s basketball team in the 2016 Rio Olympics, helping the U.S. secure gold with a 101–72 win over Spain.
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She also represented the U.S. at the 2020 Summer Olympics (held in 2021 in Tokyo), where the U.S. women went undefeated to win another gold medal.
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Most recently, she played in the 2024 Paris Olympics, contributing to Team USA’s 67-66 win over France in the final, securing her third consecutive Olympic gold.
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In the 2024 Olympic tournament, her average stats included around 7.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game.
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Over her international career, she has been a reliable interior defender, rebounder, and scorer, and her leadership and experience have been valuable to Team USA.
What to Expect Going Forward
Here are some pointers about what fans can expect from Brittney Griner in the near future:
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Minutes & Role: Given her recent injuries, Griner’s minutes may remain capped or gradually increase. It’s reasonable to expect her to continue a bench role until fully ramped up, though she has started games previously this season.
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Blocking & Defensive Impact: Even with restricted minutes, her shot-blocking presence is still among the best in the league, which can shift momentum and deter inside scoring by opponents.
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Offensive Contributions: Her scoring remains efficient; her FG% is consistently above 50% career-wide.
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Leadership: As a veteran and someone who has come through adversity, her role as a leader and mentor for younger players (especially in Atlanta) is likely to remain important.
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Health Monitoring: As with many older players, monitoring injuries and recovery will be key. Her neck and nasal injuries recently are examples of how health can influence availability.
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Olympic and Off-Season Play: Given her age and workload, there is always the question of how much she might participate in overseas leagues or international club competition in the off-season. Her involvement with UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia was significant before her detention, but current overseas commitments may be more conservative.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. Is Brittney Griner playing today?
As of September 2025, Brittney Griner is on the roster for the Atlanta Dream. She can play today, but her role may be limited depending on health, match-ups, and coach decisions.
Q2. How old is Brittney Griner?
She was born on October 18, 1990, so she is 34 now, turning 35 in October 2025.
Q3. Has Brittney Griner played in the Olympics?
Yes. She has three Olympic gold medals: Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021), and Paris 2024.
Q4. What team does she play for currently?
She plays for the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA, having moved there in February 2025 after a long tenure with the Phoenix Mercury.
Q5. What is Brittney Griner’s playing style / strengths?
Griner’s strengths include dominant shot-blocking, high-percentage interior scoring, rebounding, and inside defensive presence. She combines size and athleticism, and is known for her efficiency and ability to alter opponents’ offensive rhythm.
Q6. What injuries has Griner faced recently?
In 2025, she dealt with a neck injury that caused a short absence and reduced minutes initially. She also sustained a nasal injury in August but managed to return in the same game.
Q7. What are her all-time WNBA block rankings?
She has recorded approximately 812 career blocks as of 2025, placing her third in WNBA history behind Margo Dydek and Lisa Leslie.
Conclusion
Brittney Griner continues to be a cornerstone of women’s basketball, combining elite talent, experience, and resilience. As of now, she remains active in the WNBA with the Atlanta Dream, albeit sometimes in a limited role depending on health. Her age of 34 (soon 35) does not diminish her impact, both on the stat sheet and in the locker room. With three Olympic gold medals, a WNBA championship, and a career filled with accolades, she remains one of the most important and compelling figures in the sport.
Whether she plays today, tomorrow, or in the playoffs, Griner’s presence is one to watch — not just for what she does on the court, but for what she continues to represent: perseverance, excellence, and leadership in basketball.
