LAS VEGAS — Brittney Griner and Breanna Stewart sat side-by-side on the dais Friday, former Olympic teammates now playing on the same All-Star team. A year ago, this was the scene everyone in the WNBA hoped for, but didn’t know if they would see again.
Team Stewart will face Team A’ja Wilson in the WNBA All-Star Game here at Michelob Ultra Arena on Saturday (ABC/ESPN App, 8:30 p.m. ET). The Phoenix Mercury’s Griner, who was voted in as a starter, said it has felt both surreal and exciting for her to be back among the best of her peers.
“I’m just taking it in, and I definitely appreciate it even more,” said Griner, who is an All-Star for the eighth time, including last year when she was named in an honorary capacity.
Griner missed all of the 2022 WNBA season while being detained in Russia. During the 2022 All-Star Game in Chicago, players from both teams donned No. 42 jerseys for the second half in honor of Griner.
“I found out a little after the fact, and it was emotional for sure,” Griner said of her reaction when she heard of that tribute while still in…
