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Fact check: Has btittney griner been suspended by the wnba

Checked on July 28, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the comprehensive analysis of multiple sources, there is no evidence that Brittney Griner has been suspended by the WNBA. All sources examined fail to mention any suspension of the Phoenix Mercury star [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9].

Instead, the sources focus on other aspects of Griner's career and recent experiences:

  • Her potential absence from the WNBA All-Star Game due to low fan voting results, not disciplinary action [2]
  • Her return to basketball following her release from Russian detention [4] [10] [6]
  • Her continued active participation in WNBA games, including being honored during her return to Phoenix [7]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important context about Griner's recent history and current status:

  • Griner's Russian detention experience: She was detained in Russia on drug charges and has since been released through a prisoner exchange, which dominated headlines for months [4] [5] [6]
  • Her active WNBA career: Rather than being suspended, Griner has been actively playing and was recently honored during games [7]
  • Book publication and advocacy work: She has written about her Russian prison experience and advocates for other detained Americans [5] [6]
  • All-Star Game considerations: The only potential "absence" mentioned relates to fan voting for the All-Star Game, not disciplinary action [2]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question itself appears to be based on false premises or misinformation. The phrasing suggests an assumption that a suspension has occurred, when no credible sources support this claim. This type of question could:

  • Spread unfounded rumors about a prominent athlete's professional standing
  • Potentially damage Griner's reputation without factual basis
  • Reflect confusion between her past legal troubles in Russia (which were resolved) and her current WNBA status

The complete absence of any suspension-related information across multiple sports news sources (ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Fox Sports, NPR) strongly indicates that no such suspension exists [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9].

Want to dive deeper?
What was the outcome of Brittney Griner's Russian detention case?
How has Brittney Griner's suspension affected her WNBA team's performance?
What are the WNBA's policies on player suspensions due to international incidents?