Brittney Griner ruled out again as Sun make additional roster decision before Sky game

Brittney Griner ruled out again as Sun make additional roster decision before Sky game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>The Connecticut Sun will remain without one of their biggest stars as they attempt to end a difficult losing streak Thursday night. Connecticut officially ruled Brittney Griner out of its road matchup against the Chicago Sky because of a left knee injury. It will be the third consecutive game missed by the veteran center, who has been one of the Sun’s most productive players when healthy this season.

>Griner’s status was not the only news to emerge from Connecticut’s final availability report. Shortly before the game, the Sun announced that rookie guard Ashlon Jackson also would not be available because of a coach’s decision.

>The two absences leave Connecticut shorthanded for an important meeting between teams searching for momentum near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.

Brittney Griner remains sidelined by knee injuryGriner has not appeared in a game since Connecticut faced the Phoenix Mercury on July 19. The 10-time WNBA All-Star finished that matchup with 19 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots in 31 minutes. She has now been sidelined for three straight contests while dealing with the left knee injury.

>Connecticut has not announced a firm timetable for her return. Griner has appeared in only 16 games during her first season with the Sun, but she has remained a major part of their offense. The former Defensive Player of the Year is averaging 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 54.4 percent from the field.

>Her absence removes one of Connecticut’s most dependable interior scoring options and places additional pressure on the rest of the frontcourt. Kennedy Burke and rookie forward Aneesah Morrow are among the players who could receive more responsibility while Griner remains unavailable. The Sun will have to find a way to replace more than her scoring. Griner’s size, rim protection and ability to draw attention in the paint affect nearly every part of Connecticut’s approach.

Sun rule out rookie Ashlon JacksonConnecticut added Jackson to its updated status report shortly before Thursday’s game, listing her as out due to a coach’s decision. Jackson has played a limited role during her rookie season but has provided the Sun with another backcourt option. Taking her out of the rotation gives Connecticut one fewer guard to use against Chicago.

>The move was not described as injury-related. Jackson arrived in the WNBA after helping Duke reach the Final Four during her final college season. The Sun selected her in the second round of the 2026 WNBA Draft, adding a guard known for her outside shooting and ability to produce in important moments.

>Her first season has largely been about development, with consistent minutes difficult to find. Thursday’s decision represents another obstacle as Jackson attempts to establish a larger role in Connecticut’s rotation.

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Sun and Sky both desperate for a victoryConnecticut enters Thursday’s game at 7-21 after losing three consecutive contests. The Sun are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and need a victory to generate some positive momentum during the final portion of the regular season.

>Chicago has struggled as well.

>The Sky enter the matchup at 9-18 and have dropped two straight games. Although both teams have fallen behind in the playoff race, the matchup still offers an opportunity to stop a losing streak and begin building some late-season confidence. Connecticut will have to do it without Griner anchoring the middle and Jackson available in the backcourt.

>Griner’s continued absence remains the far more significant concern. The Sun have already spent much of the season attempting to overcome injuries and inconsistent availability, and losing one of their leading scorers for a third consecutive game makes an already difficult assignment even harder.

>For now, Connecticut’s immediate challenge is finding enough production elsewhere to survive another night without its veteran center.

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