Is Brittney Griner playing tonight vs Indiana Fever? Latest on the Mercury star’s availability (August 16)

After another gold-medal-winning campaign with Team USA, Brittney Griner returned to the WNBA with aplomb on Thursday. She led the Phoenix Mercury to a resounding 85-65 road win against the Chicago Sky. Griner ended the night with 23 points, nine rebounds, six assists, five blocks and two steals.

The Mercury, though, has less than 24 hours before it takes on the Indiana Fever. Some of their supporters were likely worried that Griner might not be given the green light to play considering the back-to-back slate. Phoenix fans will be excited to know the star center has been cleared to suit up against Caitlin Clark and the Fever.

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Brittney Griner seems to have left injury concerns behind

Before the 2024 Paris Olympics, Brittney Griner injured her hip on Jul. 12 against the Fever. She played only 11 minutes and hardly contributed anything to the stat sheet. Without her, the Sun struggled and lost 95-86 to Indiana.

The nine-time All-Star bounced back two nights after the early exit in Indiana to play Phoenix’s last three games. Griner also participated in the WNBA All-Star Game and seemed to be moving just fine. The Olympics confirmed that the hip concern was nothing more than a slight issue.

Brittney Griner played an important role in Team USA’s exciting gold-medal finish. She brought that form with her in her first game back in the WNBA. With the 6-foot-7 doing damage on both ends, the Mercury raced to an early lead that it would never give up against Chicago.

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Griner faces another exciting young center on Friday

After battling the frontline of Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, Brittney Griner faces another talented young center. The next exciting duel for the veteran will be All-Star Aliyah Boston of the Indiana Fever. Griner needs to be at her best for the Phoenix Mercury to earn their first win against the Fever.

Caitlin Clark is Indiana’s engine on offense but Boston anchors the Fever on both ends of the floor. In the first meeting between the two teams, the former No. 1 pick had 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists in the Fever’s 88-82 win on the road.

Brittney Griner tallied 24 points, six rebounds, two assists and one block but could not help her team to an important win. She couldn’t get some payback in the rematch after injuring her hip in the first half in the rematch.

Griner is healthy and she has been playing well without any injury concerns. The looming battle against Aliyah Boston will be an interesting subplot that basketball fans will monitor on Friday.