Brittney Griner is back in the WNBA, and she had a strong debut for the 2023–24 season. Due to her ten-month detention in Russia, Griner missed the entire season in 2017. But when she landed back on American soil, people began to wonder if she would go back to court. She has now made her long-awaited return to the hardwood after spending 19 months away from it.
She made her debut on home court, where she was greeted with enthusiastic acclaim. Celebrities were drawn to her return to her first WNBA game. Magic Johnson, Darvin Ham, Pau Gasol, Billie Jean King, and Dawn Staley were a few of them. Vice President Kamala Harris, who was present, stopped by both locker rooms before the game. Neke Ogwumike, the president of the players union and a celebrity in Los Angeles, thanked President Joe Biden and Senator Harris for assisting Griner in returning home.
Brittney Griner sinks her first FG attempt of the game
Welcome back, BG
(via @WNBA)
pic.twitter.com/Ib2hPagJYhBleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 20, 2023
At the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, The Mercury played an away game. In her first game after 19 months, Griner’s outcome will not be what she would have preferred. Nevertheless, Griner gave a good performance and played for 32 minutes.Griner had a terrific final quarter, finishing with a game-high 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. After her preseason game, Griner gave a much better performance last night.
Fans were in attendance early and were sporting T-shirts with Griner s name and number. The WNBA All-Star even decided to photo-bomb a group of girls. After a strong start to the season, Griner will only be expected to keep getting better as the season goes on.
Brittney Griner received a warm welcome from the fans
The WNBA All-Star, for whom a tribute video was presented, had a suitable homecoming. The video included highlights from the match as well as commentary from the Los Angeles Sparks staff. Griner clapped and placed her right palm over her heart to express her gratitude, her expression betraying the emotions running through it.
The love from the fans when I came out was amazing, said Griner. I felt that. I didn t experience that for a while, she continued. Griner was given another round of applause when her name was announced. She hugged Ogwumike briefly before the two jumped against each other to get the game underway. She gave it her all, however, the lack of game time saw her taken off with 5:52 remaining on the clock.
