Brittney Griner's latest injury setback leaves Sun facing major problem against Liberty

Connecticut finally got Brittney Griner back on the court. Now they'll have to move forward without her again.

After missing multiple games with a rib injury, Griner returned Friday and immediately reminded everyone why she remains one of the WNBA's most impactful frontcourt players. The veteran center finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks against the Chicago Sky, providing a major boost for a Connecticut team desperately searching for momentum.

That made Sunday's update all the more concerning. The Sun officially ruled Griner out for Monday night's matchup against the defending champion New York Liberty due to a left rib strain, creating another significant obstacle for a team that has already battled injuries throughout the opening month of the season.

Griner's return was short-lived

There was optimism surrounding Connecticut after Griner's strong performance against Chicago. The 10-time All-Star looked healthy, efficient and comfortable, shooting 6-for-8 from the field while impacting the game on both ends of the floor. It appeared the Sun were finally getting one of their most important players back at the perfect time.

Instead, Griner landed back on the injury report less than 48 hours later.

According to head coach Rachid Meziane, Griner missed practice along with Raegan Beers and Ashlon Jackson as the team dealt with illness concerns and rest management. Later, however, Connecticut confirmed Griner would not play against New York because of the rib injury.

The development marks another frustrating chapter in what has already been a stop-and-start season for the veteran center.

The timing couldn't be worse for Connecticut

The challenge awaiting the Sun is enormous. New York enters the matchup riding a four-game winning streak and continues to look every bit like a championship contender. Connecticut, meanwhile, has dropped two straight games and has struggled to establish consistency through the season's first 12 contests.

Without Griner anchoring the paint, the Sun lose one of their most reliable scoring options, rim protectors and veteran leaders. In her six appearances this season, Griner has averaged 12.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 blocks while providing a stabilizing presence on both ends of the floor.

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Who steps up now?

Connecticut is expected to once again lean heavily on Aaliyah Edwards in the frontcourt. Edwards has already taken on an expanded role during Griner's previous absence and will likely draw another start at center against the Liberty. Olivia Nelson-Ododa should also see increased minutes as the Sun attempt to replace Griner's production by committee.

The problem is that replacing Griner's experience and defensive impact is never that simple. And against a Liberty team that has found its rhythm, Connecticut now faces one of its toughest tests of the season without one of its biggest stars.

For a team trying to climb out of an early-season hole, Griner's latest injury update is the last piece of news the Sun wanted to hear.

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