PHOENIX — Brittney Griner‘s unofficial return to the WNBA on Friday night was full of hugs, hellos and flashes of old.
In her first competitive game action in 572 days — since Game 4 of the 2021 WNBA Finals — Griner had 10 points in 17 minutes in a 90-71 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks, showing glimpses of the player she was before a 10-month detainment in Russia caused her to miss all of last season.
From the moment she emerged from the tunnel to the court about 90 minutes before tipoff, Griner was the center of attention in the Phoenix Mercury‘s preseason finale. She couldn’t get down the length of the court without being stopped, high fived or hugged. Anyone she walked by, including Sparks players and coaches, smiled and most wanted to say hello.
While it was a muted welcome compared to what her official return in the Mercury’s home opener May 21 will be, it was still a welcome.
The crowd gave her a standing ovation when she was introduced before the game and a group of fans near the tunnel gave her an ovation as she walked off the court at halftime. When fans were allowed on the court…
