One of many driving forces behind the Phoenix Mercury’s signature, wire-to-wire win over the Seattle Storm, Brittney Griner found that the recipe for excellence merely required a simple task: staying on the gas. With rolls of every kind — from pick-and-rolls to finger rolls — the nine-time All-Star did her part in keeping those wheels turning. Stationed atop the arc in dribble hand-off position, Griner puts one of many examples on showcase, brushing former teammate Skylar Diggins-Smith just impactfully enough to force Seattle to stay connected to a potential drive. Making herself available with a cut down the middle, Griner utilizes calmness and balance, tossing a gentle finish over Nneka Ogwumike’s contest to push Phoenix’s lead to 18. Phoenix turned ball screens and inside-out play into a cheat code on June 16, 2024, earning a nationally-televised win that moved them to 3-1 since Griner’s return. Bridging the gap between traditional big play and new-school skills, Griner nearly matched her All-Star forward with 28 points (on 10-of-15), nine boards, one steal, two blocks, and a 3-pointer, ultimately being rewarded with Player of the Week honor No. 14. · Jun 16, 2024