By admin 
The Connecticut Sun made a major splash during the offseason when they signed Brittney Griner, hoping the future Hall of Famer could help lead the franchise into a new era. After finishing with the third-worst record in the WNBA in 2025 and missing the playoffs, the Sun looked to Griner’s championship pedigree to stabilize a rebuilding roster.
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Griner has delivered whenever she has been on the floor, but staying healthy has been an issue throughout her first season in Connecticut. The 35-year-old has been limited to 13 games, missing time earlier this season with a rib injury before recently suffering a left quad contusion. Her latest setback forced her to sit out Connecticut’s last two games, raising doubts about whether she would return before the All-Star break.
Ahead of Tuesday’s matchup against the Portland Fire, Griner was initially listed as questionable on Monday’s injury report before being upgraded to probable the following morning.
Shortly before tip-off, the Sun confirmed the veteran center would be available to play, ending her two-game absence.
UPDATED Game Status Report vs. Portland Fire – 07.14.26
Brittney Griner – AVAILABLE
Ashlon Jackson – OUT (Coach’s Decision) https://t.co/zkiKCrMw3t
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— Connecticut Sun PR (@CTSunPR) July 14, 2026
Griner will return after one of the best performances of her season. In her most recent appearance on July 6 against the Minnesota Lynx, she dominated with 29 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks on 11-of-14 shooting, leading Connecticut to a dramatic 90-89 victory. It remains the Sun’s biggest win of the campaign and showcased exactly why the franchise pursued her in free agency.
Despite the injuries, Griner has been Connecticut’s most consistent player in 2026. She is averaging 13.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.8 blocks in 13 games while leading the team in scoring and blocks. The 10-time All-Star, two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, 2014 WNBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist has continued to provide elite interior production even as the Sun have struggled.
Connecticut enters Tuesday with a 5-18 record, the worst in the WNBA standings, and will hope Griner’s return can help build some momentum. The game against the Fire is the final contest of the Sun’s three-game home stand before they embark on a five-game road trip, making a healthy Griner even more important.
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This story was originally published July 14, 2026 at 7:18 AM.