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Brittney Griner and the Connecticut Sun prepared to close out the first half of their season against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Wednesday. The Sun enter the game at 7-19 and sit last in the WNBA, with their playoff hopes gradually slipping away.
Injury absences have been a recurring theme for Connecticut this season, and none has been more notable than Griner’s. The veteran center joined the franchise in the offseason after playing 39 games for the Atlanta Dream in her lone season with the team and leading them to the playoffs.
However, she has managed to play in only 16 of a possible 26 games this season in Connecticut, though she remains one of the team’s most productive players whenever she has been available. The 10-time WNBA All-Star is averaging 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
After missing two games, she returned against the Portland Fire on July 14 and has played three straight games. That streak, however, has come to an end.
Ahead of Wednesday’s game, Connecticut downgraded Griner to doubtful before eventually ruling her out with a knee injury.
Griner had already missed time this season because of rib and quad injuries before making her return last week. Despite those interruptions, she has continued to make her presence felt, most notably with a season-high 29 points and 10 rebounds against the league-leading Minnesota Lynx.
Connecticut will look to pull off an upset at Gainbridge Fieldhouse without its veteran center. Indiana enters Wednesday sitting at 16-10 and riding a two-game winning streak. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, with live coverage on USA Network.
Related: WNBA to Punish Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark After Liberty Game
