Brittney Griner Steals the Show! Phee & Lunar Owls Get the W
First and foremost, thank you, Brittney Griner.
More importantly, thank you to Natisha Hiedeman. It is because of Hiedeman finding Griner off a screen and roll that Griner was able to throw down a dunk.
The dunk was somewhat planned. Hiedeman manifested this dunk earlier before the game. Griner revealed that teammate Hiedeman had called it during warmups.
“Tish told me in warmups, ‘You’re going to get a dunk today,’” Griner said with a smile. “It just happens. Since she passed me the ball and I told her in warmups, I had to give her one. It’s always hype. Teammates love it, fans love it.”
In spite of her dunk Monday night, the Lunar Owls’ 92-79 victory over the Phantom was yet another win in the Owls’ book. However, Griner’s one-handed slam in the third quarter sent the crowd and the internet into a frenzy.
Ironically enough, it was Napheesa Collier (the soon-to-be-named Unrivaled MVP) and the Lunar Owls who had the last laugh. Collier, during the game, became the first player in Unrivaled history to score 300 points in a season as she dismantled the Phantom.
Collier finished the game with 33 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and three three-pointers made. She also shot 14/22 (63%) from the floor. All of this was done in just 21 minutes of action. The Lunar Owls extended their league-best record to 11-1.
Meanwhile, Griner, for the Phantom, finished with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists in the loss. However, her dunk made history as she became the first player this season to throw one down. It was a moment so electrifying that even her opponents couldn’t help but appreciate it.
“She’s the only dunker right now. It’s always fun to see a dunk. I’m sure the crowd really liked it. I would’ve enjoyed it if it wasn’t against us” – Napheesa Collier
What made this moment special was that Griner dunked the ball in front of WNBA legend Lisa Leslie. Both Hall of Fame centers acknowledged the significance of the moment.
@moreausports Brittney Griner was given a lot of compliments by Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie after Griner’s dunk. Leslie also asked Griner questions about her moment.
“When I sit down and think about it, it definitely is [special]. I got to do it with [Lisa] here as well… that’s pretty cool. It just all kind of lines up. Maybe I’ll try and get another one next game.”
Although Griner’s dunk provided the highlight of the night, it was the Lunar Owls who dominated the game. Phee led the three-headed monster, but Skylar Diggins-Smith also had a monster game, finishing with a 25-point, 11-assist double-double. Additionally, Allisha Gray dropped 23 points and hit four three-pointers.
“It just feels good when we’re on the court together,” said Napheesa Collier.
Hiedeman was a bright spot for the Phantom. She scored 20 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the three-point line. Meanwhile, Marina Mabrey, in her debut, added 9 points.
The win solidifies the Lunar Owls’ place atop the standings, while the Phantom fall to 3-9.
For tonight, though, the conversation wasn’t only about the final score. As for Collier, she’s happy to walk away with the win—even if she had to tip her cap to Griner’s highlight-reel play.
“It’s always fun to see a dunk,” she said. “But it’s even more fun to get the W.”
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