In the warm glow of Atlanta’s Gateway Center Arena, Brittney Griner’s smile said it all. On June 4, 2025, the WNBA named her Atlanta Dream teammate Allisha Gray the Eastern Conference Player of the Month, and Griner, the team’s towering new star, couldn’t hold back her pride. After a tough stretch marked by a knee injury and heated moments on the court, Griner’s joy for Gray’s milestone felt like a burst of sunshine, rallying fans and teammates around a shared sense of family and triumph.
Griner, who joined the Dream this season after 11 years with the Phoenix Mercury, has been a force, averaging 12.2 points and 6.4 rebounds despite missing games due to a left knee injury. But when the league announced Gray’s award for her stellar 5-2 record, with 21.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game, Griner was quick to celebrate. “That’s my teammate!” she said, her voice brimming with excitement, as she shared the news with a grin that could light up the arena. For Griner, who’s faced her own battles—from a year in a Russian prison to recent referee spats—this moment was a reminder of why she loves the game: the bonds that make a team feel like home.
Gray’s honor came after a scorching run, including a Player of the Week nod for averaging 26.5 points in two games. Her leadership has fueled the Dream’s four-game win streak, a bright spot in their 4-2 season start under new coach Karl Smesko. For fans like Jamal, a 30-year-old Atlanta bartender who’s followed the Dream since childhood, Gray’s award and Griner’s support hit deep. “Seeing Brittney hype Allisha up, it’s like they’re sisters,” he said, wiping down a counter. “It makes you proud to cheer for them.” A college student, Maya, who watched the team’s recent win over the Dallas Wings, added, “Brittney’s been through so much. Her cheering for Allisha shows what this team’s about—lifting each other up.”
The Dream’s chemistry is palpable. Brionna Jones, another new addition, brings insider knowledge from her years with the Connecticut Sun, facing them next on June 6. Rhyne Howard, averaging 15 points and 5 assists, has bonded with Griner, their playmaking a spark for the team. “Brittney’s like our big sister,” Howard said, laughing. “She’s tough but so warm.” Yet, not all is smooth. Griner’s recent controversies—alleged comments during a May 22 loss to the Indiana Fever and a profanity-laced outburst at referees against the Wings—have stirred debate. Some fans criticize her intensity, with one saying, “She needs to cool it with the refs.” Others, like Jamal, defend her: “She’s passionate. That fire’s why she’s great.”
For Griner, Gray’s moment was a chance to focus on joy. After missing two games, she returned against the Seattle Storm on May 30, helping secure a 94-87 win. Her defensive prowess, honed over a career with two Defensive Player of the Year awards, anchors the Dream. But off the court, it’s her heart that shines. After the Wings game, she scooped up her baby, her face softening in a moment that melted fans’ hearts. “That’s what keeps me going,” she said, cradling her child. “Family, team, this game—it’s all love.”
The Dream’s hot streak and Gray’s award have Atlanta buzzing. Local businesses near the arena report packed crowds, with one vendor saying, “When the Dream win, we all win.” As the team prepares for the Sun and a Tuesday clash with the Indiana Fever, fans are hopeful. Maya, clutching a Dream jersey, said, “Allisha’s killing it, and Brittney’s got her back. It feels like we’re all in this together.” Some wonder if the team can sustain the momentum without key players like Jordin Canada, still out with a knee injury, but Griner’s faith in her squad is unwavering.
As the Dream chase more victories, Griner’s celebration of Gray reminds everyone why they play: for each other, for the fans, for the moments that make the heart race. “This is our time,” Griner said, her eyes bright. In Atlanta, that spirit—of pride, resilience, and family—is carrying the Dream higher, one cheer at a time.
