Brittney Griner is Back on the Court

After not playing professional basketball since October 2021, Brittney Griner is finally back on the court.

The Phoenix Mercury center returned to the WNBA court for the first time on Friday, May 19, following her 10 months spent detained in Russia in 2022, to face off against the Los Angeles Sparks.

“It was nice to be back on court in a real game,” Griner said in an interview following her first game back. “The love from the fans when I came out was amazing.”

According to ESPN, Griner achieved “18 points, six rebounds and four blocked shots in 25 minutes.”

Griner handles the ball against Elizabeth Williams of the Chicago Sky during the first half of the WNBA game at Footprint Center in Phoenix. / Getty Images)

The Mercury lost 94-71. In the following game against the Chicago Sky, the Mercury lost 75-69. Fans cheered Griner and the team on despite the loss. Even Vice President Kamala Harris was in attendance and gave Griner a hug. Everyone was just happy to see Griner back on the court and doing what she loves.