Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner recently returned to the court for the first time since her detention in Russia, playing 17 minutes in a preseason game against the Los Angeles Sparks. She finished with 10 points and three rebounds in a loss, but the outcome was irrelevant considering the circumstances.
It was encouraging to see Griner playing basketball again after missing the entire 2022 season and spending almost 300 days in Russian custody. She only returned to the United States in December via a prisoner swap, and has had little time to try and find some normalcy and get back in playing shape before the season.
Getting a chance to suit up again meant a lot to the eight-time All-Star, as did hearing the national anthem.
“I’m grateful to be here, that’s for sure. I’m not going to take a day for granted,” Griner said after the game. “Hearing the national anthem, it definitely hit different,” Griner said. “It’s like when you go for the Olympics, you’re…
