Brittney Griner's Playoff Disappointment Despite Memorable Season

The WNBA star's 3-on-3 team fell short in the Unrivaled league semifinals.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Brittney Griner's Vinyl BC squad made a surprise playoff run in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 women's basketball league, but their season ended with a semifinal loss to the top-seeded Phantom BC. Griner played limited minutes in the defeat, but expressed pride in the team's accomplishments despite the disappointing result.

Why it matters

Griner is a high-profile WNBA star who has struggled to find postseason success, both in the WNBA and now in the 3-on-3 Unrivaled league. Her playoff disappointments highlight the competitive nature of elite women's basketball and the challenges even the best players face in securing championships.

The details

Vinyl BC, Griner's 3-on-3 team, finished the regular season with a 5-9 record but still qualified for the playoffs as the sixth seed. They pulled off an upset in the first round before falling to the top-seeded Phantom BC in the semifinals, 83-75. Griner played just five minutes in the loss and finished with two points and two rebounds, while Dearica Hamby led Vinyl BC with 30 points.

  • Vinyl BC lost to Phantom BC in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 semifinals on Monday, March 3, 2026.
  • Griner and Vinyl BC had previously upset the third-seeded Laces BC in the first round of the Unrivaled playoffs.

The players

Brittney Griner

A WNBA star who played limited minutes for her 3-on-3 team, Vinyl BC, in their semifinal loss.

Kelsey Plum

The star player for the top-seeded Phantom BC, who scored 31 points to lead her team to victory over Vinyl BC.

Tiffany Hayes

A key contributor for Phantom BC, scoring 19 points in their semifinal win.

Dearica Hamby

The leading scorer for Vinyl BC with 30 points in the losing effort.

Rhyne Howard

Vinyl BC's second-leading scorer with 16 points in the semifinal game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This experience was lit yo honestly. The season ain't end how we wanted but it's still [expletive] no matter what.”

— Brittney Griner (Instagram)

What’s next

Griner is a free agent this offseason and has expressed interest in returning to the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA. However, the start of the 2026 WNBA season remains uncertain as the league and players' union continue to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.

The takeaway

Despite the disappointing semifinal loss, Griner's experience in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league highlights her competitive drive and commitment to the game of basketball. Even as one of the WNBA's biggest stars, she continues to seek out new challenges and opportunities to showcase her skills, though the ultimate goal of winning a championship remains elusive.