On Sunday, the Dream had ruled out rookie standout Te-Hina Paopao with a facial injury sustained in the team's win over the Dallas Wings on Saturday. Atlanta has been without Jordin Canada for the start of the season as the guard recovers from a right knee injury.

Griner flourished there as a two-time WNBA scoring leader and became one of the WNBA’s most recognizable stars. When she was detained in Russia for more than nine months in 2022, she was grateful that the Mercury helped raise awareness about her imprisonment and led outcries for her release.

Griner wasn't going to let a halftime interview prevent her from expressing her frustrations with the officiating