The Connecticut Sun will return to their home floor Thursday night when they welcome the Atlanta Dream for an Eastern Conference matchup.
Connecticut heads into Thursday’s matchup looking to build on its latest win over the Phoenix Mercury, which snapped the Sun’s five-game losing streak.
Is Brittney Griner playing vs Dream?
However, the team’s attention will also be on the availability of Brittney Griner, who could potentially miss Thursday’s game.
The Sun have only one player listed on their injury report, with Griner designated as questionable because of a left knee injury. Her status puts her in danger of missing her first game since returning from a four-game absence in Friday’s win over Phoenix.
Griner’s injury concerns
Griner’s current knee problem is not the first injury setback she has faced this season. The veteran center has previously missed time because of a right rib strain and a separate issue involving her left foot.
The knee trouble is the latest concern for the two-time Defensive Player of the Year, with the initial injury occurring around the middle to latter part of July.
Griner remains Sun’s top scorer
{{/usCountry}}The knee trouble is the latest concern for the two-time Defensive Player of the Year, with the initial injury occurring around the middle to latter part of July.
Griner remains Sun’s top scorer
{{/usCountry}}While Griner may no longer be at the peak of her career, she has continued to provide valuable production during her first season with the Sun.
Griner has been one of Connecticut’s most reliable scoring options this season. The 35-year-old leads the Sun in scoring average, posting 13.6 points per game through 17 appearances. She has also contributed 5.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest.
Sun aim to stay hot
Connecticut comes into Thursday’s matchup with an 8-23 record following its home victory over the Mercury on Friday night.
Aaliyah Edwards was the leading contributor for the Sun in that game, finishing with 14 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Kennedy Burke also played an important role, adding 15 points and two rebounds.
With the losing streak now behind them, the Sun will look to make it back-to-back victories when they take on an Atlanta team that has enjoyed a far more successful campaign.
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Atlanta faces Sun without Paopao
Meanwhile, the Dream head into Thursday’s contest with a 20-12 record after beating the Toronto Tempo at home Monday night.
Atlanta has ruled out Te-Hina Paopao because of a right leg injury that has kept her out of action since July 17.