We’re just minutes away from tip-off at the All-Star Game here in Indianapolis! The biggest names in the league are set to face off, with Team Caitlin taking on Team Collier. The stage is all set for an exciting showdown! But there is one big name that will be missing from the action tonight. Brittney Griner.

One name that’s been almost synonymous with the All-Star Game? Brittney Griner. When it comes to dunks in the WNBA, she’s the name! You can’t think of one without the other. Out of the 37 recorded dunks in league history, 27 belong to her. She is a 10x WNBA All-Star. So, what really happened?

Simply put, her performances just haven’t made the cut this time. Griner’s averaging 10.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists this season–numbers that don’t shout All-Star level. To make matters worse, this is actually the first time since 2021 that she hasn’t been named a starter or reserve. Even in 2022, when she was detained in Russia, the league still named her an honorary All-Star.

After spending 11 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, Griner decided it was time for a new chapter. She joined the Atlanta Dream, forming an exciting Big 3 alongside Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard. But so far, she hasn’t quite been able to deliver the kind of dominant performances we’ve come to expect from her. While the other two members of the Big 3 did get the All-Star nod, Griner wasn’t one of them. Why, you ask?

Well, in Atlanta, both Griner’s minutes and production have taken a noticeable dip. She’s averaging just 23.4 minutes per game, with her scoring dropping from 17.8 points last season to 10.3 this year. But there is a valid reason for this dip. A big reason behind this decline is a lingering knee issue that’s been bothering her throughout the season. She has already missed games against the Sparks and the Sun. So, it’s fair to say that the Dream management are clearly being cautious, managing her workload carefully to avoid further setbacks.

Griner might not have been on the court for the All-Star Game, but she did take the spotlight away from the festivities in a powerful interview with NFL star Cam Newton.

Brittney Griner opens up about her time in Russia

What started as a routine trip to Russia in February 2022 turned into a nightmare for Brittney Griner. She was detained by Russian authorities on February 17, 2022, after being accused of drug smuggling when THC vape cartridges were found in her luggage. Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison.

After spending 11 grueling months behind bars, she was released in December 2022 through a high-profile prisoner swap with arms dealer Viktor Bout. In a recent conversation on Cam Newton’s podcast, Griner opened up about just how painful that experience truly was.

“I felt worse than a d*** stray dog. At least a stray dog get some food every now and again. Like get something,” Griner said. “I didn’t feel like a human. Trying to be strong, I got a little Sudoku book that I had with me when they took me. So I’m writing in it, like I knew what day it was. So I would write the date and I would write a little something like how I’m feeling.”

Griner made a strong return the following season with the Mercury, earning her 10th All-Star selection. While our hearts go out to her for everything she’s been through, there’s no doubt about the fact that she’s a fighter. As for this season? We’re confident she’ll bounce back and find her rhythm again as the season progresses!