Brittney Griner Just Broke a WNBA Record. Her Old Team’s Response Was Perfect.

Brittney Griner made history Monday night, and the franchise that watched her build most of that resume didn’t let the moment pass quietly.

Griner became the WNBA’s all-time leader in blocks during the Connecticut Sun’s 92-63 win over the Chicago Sky at Mohegan Sun Arena. She passed Margo Dydek, who had held the record since 2008. Griner finished with four blocks, pushing her career total to 878. She also dropped 14 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished three assists. It’s just a typical night for her, except now it’s a historic one.

The Phoenix Mercury — the team that drafted her No. 1 overall out of Baylor in 2013 — posted a tribute on X that felt personal. “The shots you blocked became highlights. The highlights became history,” the Mercury wrote. “We’re grateful we were able to witness so many of those moments in a Mercury jersey. Congratulations, BG.”

That kind of message matters. Griner spent 12 seasons in Phoenix, and they were some of the best years of her career. She won a championship there in 2014. She became a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, a six-time All-WNBA selection and a seven-time All-Defensive team member. She made 10 All-Star games. She won two scoring titles. And her partnership with Diana Taurasi turned the Mercury into yearly contenders.

But the Mercury weren’t willing to commit to Griner long-term after last season. She left in 2025 for the Atlanta Dream, spent one year there, then signed a one-year deal with the Sun this past April. So far, she’s averaging 12.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.9 blocks. Solid numbers. Not quite the dominant force she was in Phoenix, but still productive.

As for the Sun? They’re not exactly thriving. They entered Monday on a seven-game losing streak and sit at 3-15, dead last in the league. That win over Chicago snapped the skid, but there’s still a long way to go. Griner can’t fix everything by herself.

The Mercury aren’t much better off at 5-13. So both franchises are basically in the same boat — looking for bright spots wherever they can find them. For Phoenix, that bright spot Monday was a former star doing something nobody had ever done before.

Griner is 35 now and still blocking shots like she’s 25. The record might stand for a while. Or maybe some future rookie will chase it down. Either way, Monday night belonged to her.