The WNBA wasn't the same without Mercury center Brittney Griner.
In 2022, Griner’s detention and incarceration in Russia on charges of smuggling hash oil made headlines around the world. The U.S. government’s lengthy attempt to free her ultimately ended in success, with Russia releasing Griner in a prisoner exchange on Dec. 8.
During her nearly 10-month detention, the women’s basketball community repeatedly demonstrated support for her release. On Friday, it was out in full force for Griner’s first game back with Phoenix in Los Angeles.
