American basketball player Brittney Griner played for her Phoenix Mercury for the first time since 2021, after a nearly 10-month detention in Russia, in a preseason game against the Los Angeles Sparks of the US Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).
Phoenix Mercury lost its home game against the Los Angeles Sparks by 71-90 (19-21, 19-27, 18-21, 15-21), and Brittney Griner was among the starters and finished with 10 points and 3 rebounds.
The two-time Olympic champion was released from a Russian penalty colony in a prisoner swap with the United States late last year after being arrested in February 2022 on drug charges.
“I didn’t think I would make it this far. I didn’t think I would be able to play basketball again so soon. I didn’t know how things would turn out when I got back on the field, but now I’m grateful to be here, that’s for sure”, said the 32-year-old Brittney Griner the Phoenix Mercury defeat.
Phoenix Mercury will open the Women’s NBA regular season with a visit to the Los Angeles Sparks on May 19.
In other pre-season WNBA, Indiana Fever defeated Dallas Wings by 90-83 (21-24, 26-24, 19-13, 24-22), while Minnesota Lynx lost at home by visitors Chicago Sky by 74-82 (11-19, 19-18, 30-17, 14-28) and Las Vegas Aces won their match versus New York Liberty by 84-77 (22-15, 28-15, 23-22, 11-25).
