For the first time in 579 days, Brittney Griner took the floor for the Phoenix Mercury on Friday night. The veteran center missed the entire 2022 season while she was detained in Russia on drug charges and did not return home until December. She made it clear immediately that she wanted to play this season, though, and worked tirelessly over the past five months to be ready for opening night.
Unfortunately for Griner and the Mercury, the result didn’t go their way. Even though they fell to the Los Angeles Sparks, 94-71, seeing Griner back on the floor and doing what she loves meant more than the result. She finished with 18 points, six rebounds and four blocks.
The festivities started pre-game when Vice President Kamala Harris visited the Mercury locker room. Harris and the U.S. State Department were instrumental in bringing Griner home from Russia.
When play began, it didn’t take long for Griner to make an impact. She scored or assisted on the Mercury’s…
