Brittney Griner, Glory Johnson suspended seven games by WNBA

Three weeks after they were arrested on suspicion of assault and disorderly conduct, Brittney Griner and Glory Johnson were each suspended seven games by the WNBA on Friday.

WNBA President Laurel J. Richie announced the suspensions in a statement posted to the league’s website, saying, “Brittney and Glory’s conduct is detrimental to the best interests of the WNBA and violates applicable law.” Richie said the couple, who were married on May 8, also will be required to attend individual counseling as part of their suspension terms.

Richie said the WNBA conducted its own investigation of the incident, which occurred at Griner and Johnson’s Phoenix home on April 22. According to the WNBA, the physical altercation began when Johnson pushed Griner in the shoulder, prompting Griner to retaliate by pushing Johnson in the neck.

The two then began to engage in “wrestling, punches, and the throwing and swinging of various objects. Brittney received a bite wound on her finger and scratches on her wrist, and Glory received a scratch above her lip and was diagnosed with a concussion,” the statement read.

Richie said she consulted three domestic violence experts, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and other WNBA and NBA officials before making her decision on the suspension.

Two weeks ago, Griner pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and will attend 26 weeks of domestic violence counseling under the terms of a diversion agreement reached with the Municipal Court in Goodyear, Ariz. All charges will be dismissed if Griner completes the counseling program. Johnson’s case is still pending.

The couple got into the argument while preparing for their wedding, which was not changed from its original May 8 date. A week before their wedding, Johnson posted a photo of herself and Griner smiling on Instagram with a caption that stated they were moving on from the incident.

“We know we must set better examples, even during the most trying times, and we are EXTREMELY sorry for all the negative attention we brought to ourselves, our family, and the league. We are actively seeking help in order to do BETTER.”

Griner played a key role in helping the Phoenix Mercury capture last year’s WNBA title. She finished second on the team in scoring behind Diana Taurasi, averaging 15.6 points and eight rebounds per game.

Johnson, who plays for the Tulsa Shock, averaged 14.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game last season.