Brittney Griner Suspended or Banned? WNBA Rumours Debunked After Ejection Drama

Brittney Griner, the WNBA star centre for the Atlanta Dream, has become the focus of widespread but false rumours suggesting she has been banned or suspended by the league. These claims emerged in early August 2025, gaining traction across social media despite no confirmation from the WNBA or the team. The speculation appears to stem from her recent ejection during a game and a subsequent injury-related absence — two unrelated events that were misrepresented online.

What Actually Happened: Ejection and Injury, Not Suspension

On 31 July 2025, during a match between the Atlanta Dream and the Dallas Wings, Griner was ejected following a heated exchange with officials, which included incidental contact with a referee. In the days that followed, she missed multiple games due to a neck injury, as confirmed by official team injury reports.

These two events were misconstrued across platforms such as X, TikTok and YouTube, with misleading headlines and video clips falsely claiming that Griner was suspended or banned.

False Suspension Claims Debunked by Fact-Checkers

Fact-checking outlets and The Playoffs WNBA have debunked the suspension rumours. In a 5 August 2025 report, The Playoffs WNBA clarified that while Griner had prior suspensions in 2015 and 2019, no disciplinary action has been issued by the league following the recent ejection. Griner is listed on the Atlanta Dream's official injury report and not under any form of suspension.

The outlet further noted that viral claims linking her absence to league punishment were based on misinterpretations and politicised commentary surrounding her public image.

Why Brittney Griner Became a Target for Misinformation

Griner has often been the target of viral misinformation due to her high public profile and activism. Her 2022 detainment in Russia over cannabis possession, her return to the WNBA in 2023, and her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights have all contributed to frequent online targeting.

According to a Yahoo fact-check report, recent conspiracy-style claims, including references to mandatory WNBA 'sex testing' or secret suspensions, are baseless. Yahoo confirmed there is no evidence of disciplinary action from the WNBA or any official body.

Analysts suggest her visibility, identity and advocacy work continue to make her a frequent subject of disinformation campaigns.

Current Status With the Atlanta Dream

Despite her recent injury, Brittney Griner remains an active member of the Atlanta Dream roster. Prior to her ejection and subsequent time off, she had been regaining form after a slow start to the 2025 season. Post-All-Star break, Griner posted season-high numbers, including 22 points against Minnesota and multiple strong performances.

Her role has become increasingly important following the injury of teammate Rhyne Howard, with head coach Karl Smesko adjusting offensive schemes to maximise Griner's interior presence.

As reported by Athlon Sports, Indiana Fever's Kayla Christensen recently left an encouraging message for Griner on social media, recognising her impact on the league and showing respect from fellow WNBA players. This gesture highlights Griner's influence within the league and the broader player community.

As of now, she is listed as 'day-to-day' due to her neck injury. Team officials have not issued any further comment regarding her availability for upcoming games.