Dream's Brittney Griner gets real on passing Lisa Leslie with latest milestone
The post Dream's Brittney Griner gets real on passing Lisa Leslie with latest milestone appeared first on ClutchPoints.
All it took was one incredible block in the final moments of the fourth quarter of the Atlanta Dream's game against the Chicago Sky for Brittney Griner to further solidify her place among WNBA legends. With just 4:38 remaining in Friday's game, she thwarted Kamilla Cardoso's attempt at a second-chance layup, marking a significant milestone in her remarkable career that started with the Phoenix Mercury and now continues with the Dream.
Advertisement
That block was Griner's 823rd career rejection, officially moving her past Sparks legend Lisa Leslie into second place on the league's all-time list. Now, only Margo Dydek's 877 blocks stand between Griner and the top spot.
Discussing her place in WNBA history after the game, Griner was honored to surpass Leslie, whom she considered an all-time great.
'Honestly, a lot of the accolades or stats don't mean that much to me,' Griner said via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 'But if there's one that does, it's the blocked shots. So to surpass Lisa, one of the all-time greats, is truly an honor. I'm proud to be in that second place. That one meant a lot to me. I'm thrilled about it. But I still have a few more to go before I catch Margo. So, the chase continues.'
Griner finished the game with seven points, four rebounds, and three blocks. While her scoring was modest, her defensive presence was clear, which she has always prioritized.
Advertisement
'I want to prevent the other team from scoring and make it tough for them to drive to the basket. When they see me coming, they often choose to go the other way or take a bad shot,' she explained. 'That's always been a major focus for me. Defense is what wins championships. You won't always shoot well, so defense is everything.'
Before the game, Griner received her gold medal ring for helping Team USA win at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The moment was significant to her.
'Yeah, getting the ring tonight was special for me,' she said. 'I've mentioned it before, but my situation made me uncertain about even being in the U.S. at that time, let alone representing my country again. So that meant the world to me. My dad has represented our country abroad before, and that's something significant for my family and me. Being able to do it here, surrounded by my teammates and family, was truly a special experience.'
While Griner hit an impressive milestone, Rhyne Howard stole the spotlight for the Dream on the scoreboard. She scored 36 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and provided 4 assists, all while sinking a franchise-record nine three-pointers, tying a WNBA single-game record in the process.
Advertisement
On a night filled with achievements, Atlanta's impressive 88-70 victory over the Sky featured both Dream history and excitement.
Related: Rhyne Howard drops 'dangerous' take on Dream's potential for remainder of season
Related: Dream's Rhyne Howard goes off for WNBA record, career-highs in gritty win over Sky
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
17 minutes ago
- New York Times
Why do Dodgers have so many pitcher injuries? Plus today's top sports news
The Pulse Newsletter 📣 | This is The Athletic's daily sports newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Pulse directly in your inbox. Good morning! Take care of your elbow today. The Dodgers, with their nearly $400 million roster, may soon need to pull a kid out of the stands, Henry Rowengartner-style, and put him on the mound. At one point this month, the defending champs had 14 pitchers on the injured list. That didn't even count Shohei Ohtani, who this week made his first mound appearance in almost two years. With Ohtani and the now-oft-injured Clayton Kershaw back in action, the Dodgers have seven starters and six relievers on the IL this weekend. Advertisement Some of this could have been expected. L.A. seemed to have gone out of its way to acquire talented arms with durability questions. Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell were hurt a lot long before they donned Dodger Blue. Even Ohtani, a unique case, was coming off Tommy John surgery when the Dodgers signed him. But the quantity is jarring even in an injury-laden game. So I had to ask Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic's Dodgers reporter, what's going on. It's not like the Dodgers are the only team telling pitchers to throw hard and spin the ball, so what gives? Fabian gives us some great intel: Whew. It feels like the Dodgers are a microcosm of pitching development in general with everything dialed up to 11, doesn't it? 💬 Losing pitchers at this kind of rate isn't sustainable, but then again, the incentives are all there for the status quo. For some of these arms, it's maximizing their potential and getting them into the big leagues in the first place while understanding the hazards behind it. The team, the same thing. To Fabian's last point on incentives: L.A. is 47-30 and leading the NL West by four and a half games. Wisconsin lawsuit accuses Miami of tampering In the latest legal dispute amid the changing landscape of college sports, the University of Wisconsin filed a lawsuit against the University of Miami yesterday for allegedly tampering with a football player. Former Badgers cornerback Xavier Lucas had signed a revenue-sharing agreement with Wisconsin before leaving in January to play for Miami despite never entering the transfer portal. Wisconsin is seeking unspecified damages and an admission of tampering from Miami in the lawsuit, which is also being backed by the Big Ten. Oh boy. Plenty more details from the unprecedented lawsuit here. Dodgers commit $1M to immigrant families One day after the Dodgers said they denied federal immigration officials access to parking lots around their stadium, the team announced it is committing $1 million in assistance to families impacted by recent immigrant raids. The decision came shortly after a group of Los Angeles community leaders sent a letter to Dodgers ownership to take a public stand against the ICE raids. More on the Dodgers' pledge here. (This and all links below are free to read.) Advertisement More news: The Senegal women's national basketball team canceled a 10-day training camp in the U.S. later this month after players and staff were denied visas. More here. Jonathan Toews signed a one-year deal with his hometown Winnipeg Jets to complete his NHL comeback. The 37-year-old longtime Blackhawks captain hasn't played since April 2023. Former Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa returned to Wrigley Field for the first time in 21 years yesterday. Patrick Mooney has more on Sosa's return to Wrigleyville. Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh broke Johnny Bench's record for the most home runs by a catcher before the All-Star break, thanks to his sixth multi-homer game of the year yesterday. He's on a torrid offensive pace. 📺 WNBA: Mercury at Sky 1 p.m. ET on ABC The Sky are off to a dreadful 3-8 start. Last year's two promising rookies, Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, have yet to take sophomore steps forward. Other than that, all is well. 📺 MCWS: Coastal Carolina vs. LSU 7 p.m. ET on ESPN Game 1 of the best-of-three championship series, capping what's been a real humdinger of a College World Series for both the men and women. The Athletic's weekly sports news quiz. I played the board game Wingspan for the first time this week. The first hour of learning how to play had me ready to quit, but the second hour was pretty enjoyable. It's a really cool game when it clicks, with an even cooler backstory. — Sam Settleman A helpful piece from our Collectibles desk: As the value disparity between PSA 10s and PSA 9s widens, an opportunity could be emerging in ungraded cards. I hate to sound like peak dad, but I received some nice steaks as a Father's Day gift and it's unreal how much better a quality cut is than what I normally buy at the store. Go find your local butcher or a good subscription service and enjoy. — Chris Branch Try Kinder's Thai (BBQ) glaze on leftover steak, chicken, or veggies over some sticky rice. Yummm. — Chris Sprow This is a fun conversation between Dan Shanoff and Richard Deitsch, who broke down the dynamics, pressure, pitfalls and opportunity for ESPN and the NBA heading into tomorrow's Game 7. I'd been dreading finding new running shoes, but I'm here to say I actually prefer the Brooks Ghost 17s (super original, I know) to my old faves. — Torrey Hart Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: Our newser on the Dodgers denying immigration officials access to their stadium. Most-read on the website yesterday: Takeaways from the Pacers' rout of the Thunder in Game 6. Advertisement Ticketing links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
Fox News
23 minutes ago
- Fox News
Gisele Bündchen flaunts stunning post-baby body during Florida outing
Gisele Bündchen is putting her figure on display just a few months after welcoming her third child. Last weekend, Bündchen was spotted during a paddleboarding session off the coast of Surfside, Florida. The model was wearing a white one-piece bathing suit with a brown visor and large sunglasses. Bündchen had a smile on her face in some of the photos as she glided through the water. Bündchen's outing comes after she gave birth to her first child with jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente in February. The duo's romance began after her divorce from NFL legend Tom Brady in 2022. Speaking with Vogue France, Bündchen admitted that her life looks a little different with a new baby. "Getting my hair and makeup done feels like I'm on vacation," she said. "With a baby, the nights are so short that I've barely brushed my hair in the last few months!" Despite the hustle and bustle, Bündchen remains optimistic. "With a baby, the nights are so short that I've barely brushed my hair in the last few months!" "Now that my little one is sleeping through the night, I'm back in control. As any new mom knows, it's incredible how much sleep – or lack of it – can change everything!" she told the outlet. Bündchen appeared on the cover of Vogue France's June/July issue – just four months after giving birth. "I feel more comfortable in my own skin. And I have a clearer understanding of my priorities. I'm grateful for where I am. I feel like I've earned it," she admitted. Bündchen told the outlet that her favorite moments are spending time with her three kids at home. She shares Benjamin, 14, and Vivian, 11, with Brady. "Time at home with my kids is absolutely priceless," she said. Bündchen noted that following her shoot with Vogue, she was most excited to get back home to her "bundle of joy." Valente first came into the picture as a jiu-jitsu instructor for Bündchen and her son, Benny. Having been referred to the Valente Brothers academy through a friend, the supermodel told Dust magazine in 2022, "I wanted to steer my almost teenage son in the right direction. I thought he might be interested in this." The Brazilian beauty started studying jiu-jitsu herself in December 2021. "Initially, I wasn't even considering it for myself," she said. "But when I brought [Benny] to the first class and started talking to Joaquim, I realized that it was much more than self-defense." After spending time as friends, Bündchen and Valente's relationship reportedly turned romantic in June 2023. "First, their relationship was teacher/student. Then… they became friends. And eventually, way after she was already divorced and she had no commitment to Tom Brady, something else started," a source previously told Fox News Digital of how their relationship progressed. The source added that Valente is an extremely charismatic person with "a great sense of humor" who is "very intelligent, very loving, he's just a good person," noting that "he loves kids." Brady and Bündchen announced their divorce on Oct. 28, 2022, in separate Instagram posts. "In recent days my wife and I finalized our divorce from one another after 13 years of marriage," Brady wrote at the time. "We arrived at this decision amicably and with gratitude for the time we spent together. We are blessed with beautiful and wonderful children who will continue to be the center of our world in every way. We will continue to work together as parents to always ensure they receive the love and attention they deserve." Bündchen wrote, "The decision to end a marriage is never easy but we have grown apart and while it is, of course, difficult to go through something like this, I feel blessed for the time we had together and only wish the best for Tom always."
Washington Post
24 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Natasha Cloud's voice carries, even in New York
NEW YORK — Natasha Cloud couldn't stop smiling when she saw her new locker was adjacent to Breanna Stewart's. The newest member of the New York Liberty instantly decided she would tell everyone that Stewart, the two-time WNBA MVP, requested the arrangement. Little did Stewart know, Cloud would be picking through her locker henceforth. Welcome to the 'Cloud 9' experience. With a massive social media following, the point guard created a running online bit showing off Stewart's designer bags in a series called, 'What bag did Stewie bring today?' Bottega Veneta. Gucci. Puma (with apologies from Cloud as a Nike athlete). Christian Dior. After winning four championships at the University of Connecticut, Stewart has been one of the biggest household names in women's basketball, but Cloud has brought out even more of her personality. The same goes for Olympic gold medalist and three-time all-star Sabrina Ionescu, who recently popped up online twerking in a handstand with Cloud holding her ankles. 'Her influence has just been energetic,' Stewart said. 'You know the way she is. You see her running around on the court and off the court. … Just constantly talking and communicating and bringing that good vibe.' Cloud arrived in New York with her trademark bluster, and the Liberty (10-2) is off to a memorable start. The defending champion set a franchise record with nine straight wins to begin the season, and Cloud is in the mix to be named an all-star for the first time. The former Washington Mystics standout's imprint is already all over the organization. This was a roster with plenty of personality, but Cloud seems to pull even more out of everyone. For someone with a very vocal leadership style, joining a veteran team can require a delicate balance. Cloud moved to New York a month before training camp and wanted to get to know as many people as possible, including administration and support staff. General Manager Jonathan Kolb said that made an instant impression that showed her commitment to the organization as a whole. 'My biggest goal of coming into this organization was to deposit, deposit, deposit, deposit, deposit and then figure out where I fit in,' Cloud said. 'And that worked for me because I think it gave the Stewies, the Sabs [Ionescu], the JJs [Jonquel Jones] the respect that they deserve. But then it also allowed them to know, like, okay, I'm also here, too, and I need to fit in some way, shape or form.' The smiles are ever-present now, but there was a rough month and a half starting in February when the Phoenix Mercury included Cloud in a trade that brought five-time all-star Alyssa Thomas to the desert from the Connecticut Sun. Cloud had signed as a free agent only a year earlier, believing Phoenix would be a long-term home. She said the organization told her she was going to retire there, but Cloud found out about the trade on social media. She said navigating the situation was 'scary' and 'brutal.' 'This is a part of the business, but there are things on the human-aspect side of — you need to have the balls to talk to your players,' Cloud said. Kolb had tried to acquire Cloud in the past, and now, at 33 and looking to get back to the Finals, she wanted out of Connecticut. She has repeatedly mentioned that Kolb 'saved' her when he acquired her for draft picks in March. 'I feel accepted and loved and appreciated for just who I am,' she said, 'whether it's the hyper-crackhead energy or it's the dog that gets into people or it's just like the chill Tash, I just feel accepted on every level, and that really just brings an all-around peace to me.' The impact on the court has been immediate. Cloud scored a season-high 22 points in her debut to go with nine assists, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks in a 14-point win over the Las Vegas Aces. She followed that with 18 points, eight assists and four rebounds in a 25-point win over the Chicago Sky. Then she had a game-sealing steal off Caitlin Clark in a two-point win over the Indiana Fever. All of that led to her being named Eastern Conference player of the week, the first such honor of her 10-year career. Her plus-minus was plus-140 through the first seven games, a league record to start a season. Cloud's assist-to-turnover ratio (3.62) and steal percentage (2.86) are both the highest of her career. 'Natasha Cloud might be the best acquisition this offseason,' Ion Television analyst Meghan McKeown said. 'It's worked with Cloud because of her communication, her defense and the swagger that she just brings to the floor. She's the type of player you want on your team. You hate playing against her, but you want her on your squad.' Atlanta Dream guard and former Mystics teammate Shatori Walker-Kimbrough added, 'She just gives them a different type of grit, and her energy, especially defensively, is contagious.' Cloud fits so well with the Liberty because she's able to be her best self. The three-time all-league defender is often asked to check the other team's best perimeter player while providing significant help to others. Help defense is required from every player, but Cloud can focus more on her individual assignment because she is surrounded by other long and capable defenders. The Liberty has the No. 1 defensive rating (93.5) in the league and ranks second in opponent scoring (76.3 points per game). Offensively, Cloud is the fourth option behind Stewart, Ionescu and Jones, meaning she doesn't have to carry a significant load and often sees wide-open driving lanes because teams are hesitant to help off that trio. Cloud's 6.3 assists per game rank third in the league, and she is ninth in assists in league history. Not everything has gone perfectly. Coach Sandy Brondello sat Cloud for seldom-used guard Jaylyn Sherrod during a 86-81 comeback win over the Dream on Tuesday, saying afterward that Cloud wasn't 'getting into the game offensively or impacting defensively like she normally would.' Still, Cloud's three-point play with 3:56 left in the fourth quarter tied the game at 76 and started a 10-5 run that pushed the Liberty to victory. 'She's come into a team that has just won a championship and taken a lead point guard position as a veteran player and having to just figure it out on the fly,' Ionescu said. 'She's just kind of been thrown in the fire.' Kolb added, 'She's kind of that piece that you plug in and she amplifies what we already have.' Cloud always has been adamant about being an activist for social justice everywhere she has gone. She was involved in gun-violence awareness and active in Ward 8 when she lived in Washington. New York, Cloud said, is the most liberal city she has lived in, and she wants to take advantage of that. Already, she has connected with the Girls for Gender Equity organization, which works with Black girls and gender-expansive young people of color. 'I'm in a city that approaches activism the same very blunt way that I do,' Cloud said. 'Humanity is black-and-white for me. There will be no debates, discussions between friends, family, co-workers about human rights and human decency and human morality. So to be in a city that is being really affected right now by some of this administration's decisions, I just want to make sure that I'm utilizing this platform still.' Cloud's face is plastered all around Barclays Center, and her presence is certainly felt inside. The sound of her booming voice echoed off the walls during a recent practice, nonstop chatter growing louder from the sideline, counting down the shot clock for the second unit. Then there's the tie-dyed orange T-shirt, sleeves removed and cut into a crop top. The lettering across the front reads 'Wear Orange' to bring awareness to gun violence. For years, Cloud has worn that shirt and been the loudest voice in the gym. All of that has now has found a home in Brooklyn. Between the city, the team, the players, Cloud seems more content than ever. The Phoenix stop didn't work out, but she acknowledged sometimes people need a difficult situation to learn and grow. All of that has been in the past from the moment she stepped out of a black SUV in front of Barclays Center, with the giant digital marquee reading: 'Natasha Cloud Welcome To Brooklyn.' 'I think she's as advertised and more,' Kolb said.
