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Brittney Griner Makes Season Debut

Brittney Griner played her first regular season WNBA game since being jailed in Russia, standing for the national anthem.

The Phoenix Mercury star was outspoken for social justice in 2020, failing to take to the court for the pre-game anthem, but a year in a Russian jail has changed her outlook.

“I was literally in a cage and could not stand the way I wanted to,” she said. “Just being able to hear my national anthem and see my flag, I definitely want to stand.”

The Mercury lost 94-71 to the Los Angeles Sparks, with Griner having 18 points, six rebounds and four blocked shots on Friday night.

“Not good enough, didn’t get the dub,” said Griner, who still remained upbeat in defeat.

“I appreciate everything a little bit more, all of the small moments, like, `Oh, I’m so tired I don’t want to go to practice today,’ that has changed, honestly. Tomorrow is not guaranteed, you don’t know what it’s going to look like. I feel a lot older somehow, too.”

The 32-year-old played 25 minutes of the game and hopes to be able to play an entire one by the all-star break in mid-July.

Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February 2022 after Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges containing cannabis oil.

“It was nice to be back on the court for a real game,” she added. “The love from the fans when we came out was amazing. I definitely feel it.”

/Stewart
Sports news editor