Brittney Griner delivered the decisive play with one second remaining, blocking a potential game-tying 3-pointer to seal a 75-72 win. The final stop transformed a one-possession finish into another defining moment for the WNBA's career blocks leader.
What happened
The game remained unsettled until its final second, with the three-point margin leaving an opportunity to force a tie. Griner ended that possibility with a block, preserving the 75-72 score and ensuring the last meaningful play belonged to the defense.
The timing made the stop decisive. With only one second left after the block, the potential tying shot was denied at the point when a defensive play carried its greatest possible weight.
Why it matters
Griner's place in league history already rests on the volume of shots she has turned away. She moved atop the WNBA list in June, establishing the career record that now grows with each additional block.
This stop connected that career achievement directly to a result. It was not simply another entry in the record total; it prevented a game-tying 3 and protected a victory in the final second.
That distinction gives the play significance beyond its place in the box score. Griner's defining defensive skill determined the outcome when the margin offered no room for error.
By the numbers
The final margin was three points: 75-72. That matched the value of the shot Griner blocked, making the attempt a direct threat to send the game beyond regulation.
Only one second remained when Griner made the stop. Those two figures — three points and one second — capture how narrow the finish was and why the block settled it.
What to watch next
Griner's next appearance will bring another opportunity to extend the WNBA career blocks record. Every additional rejection will raise the standard she set when she reached the top of the league's all-time list in June.
The closing sequence also provides a clear reminder of how that record can shape games in real time. Griner's next block could add to the historical total, alter another possession or, as this one did, decide the final result.