Mercury head coach Vanessa Nygaard told reporters before the game.’ It’s a miracle she’s here

Brittany Griner makes WNBA return after Russian detention Brittany Griner made an emphatic return to professional basketball on Friday night. Less than six months earlier, she had been imprisoned in Russia and worried she would never be able to return home.

Read More: Click Here

In a 94-71 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on WNBA Opening Night, the 32-year-old Griner led her club with a total of 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting, along with six rebounds and four blocks. It was another step on the road to return after the horrific experience of being in custody for almost 10 months.

Read Also: Click Here

Before the game, Mercury head coach Vanessa Nygaard told the media, “It’s a miracle he’s here.” On Sunday, the Mercury hosted the Chicago Sky in their home debut.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Douglas Emhoff, the second gentleman in the Crypto.com Arena, hugged Griner just before the start of the game. Other notables include Pau Gasol and Michael Cooper, who played for the Lakers, Billie Jean King, Magic Johnson, and Don Staley.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Douglas Emhoff, the second gentleman in the Crypto.com Arena, hugged Griner just before the start of the game. Other notables include Pau Gasol and Michael Cooper, who played for the Lakers, Billie Jean King, Magic Johnson, and Don Staley.

Griner won the opening tip, helped the Mercury on their first possession, recovered a defensive rebound after running down the court, and then made a 21-foot shot to give Phoenix a 5–0 lead. It was a bizarre sight considering the ordeal began in February 2022 when she was playing for a professional team in Russia.

Vape cartridges allegedly filled with cannabis oil were found in Griner’s luggage, leading to his detention at the Moscow airport. He was sentenced to nine years in prison after entering a guilty plea to narcotics charges. Granted and transferred to a correctional colony.

The 6-foot-9 center, who was released as part of a prisoner swap in December, signed with Crypto.com to broadcast nationwide on ESPN.
It was the opening contest of a 40-game regular season that would test Griner’s ability to return to his All-Star form. Griner was a candidate for the MVP award in the 2021 season, her final award as a WNBA player. On Sunday, the Mercury hosted the Chicago Sky in their home debut.