However, just when it appeared that the drama could not escalate further, the internet did what it excels at: it delved deeper. Abruptly, the controversy transitioned from trash talk and racial insults to something even more incendiary. Old videos from Griner’s Instagram emerged, igniting a fresh wave of speculation—this time concerning Griner’s gender identity.

A specific topless video, reportedly shared by Griner herself, became the focal point of the uproar. Observant viewers pointed out that the post had remained visible for over two years, evading Instagram’s notoriously stringent nudity regulations for female users. Theories proliferated: Did the platform’s AI identify Griner as male? Was there more to Griner’s narrative than what was apparent?