Brittney Griner’s First Game Back Was a Star-Studded Event for WNBA

The Mercury center returned before an audience that included basketball and non-basketball dignitaries.

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.

Though the Mercury lost their opener 94–71 to the Sparks, Griner dropped a team-high 18 points with six rebounds and two assists in her return—including an elegant midrange jumper in the first quarter to start her season.

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Brittney Griner with her first bucket of the 2023 season 👏

(via @WNBA)pic.twitter.com/CETEkukCQ7

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 20, 2023

On the occasion of Griner's return, Nike put up a massive billboard outside the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles reading, "Basketball is home."

#BGisBack 🧡

Live look at @nikebasketball’s billboard outside of https://t.co/eVdfhDiduM Arena in honor of Brittney Griner’s return to the floor pic.twitter.com/eAlQT5feoa

— WNBA (@WNBA) May 20, 2023

Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris attended the game in her home state of California, meeting with Griner in the locker room pregame.

Wow, a MAJOR figure in the house for Brittney Griner’s first game back: the @VP!!!! *The* Kamala Harris waves to crowd here in LA. pic.twitter.com/Jkb3ZyU9ya

— Michael Voepel (@MAVoepel) May 20, 2023

The home crowd gave Griner a standing ovation pregame.

Brittney Griner receives a standing ovation at https://t.co/qiCMWv8ut3 Arena. pic.twitter.com/TAKNnl5ivc

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) May 20, 2023

Several Lakers luminaries also attended the game, including former center Pau Gasol, former forward Robert Horry and coach Darvin Ham on an off-night in Los Angeles's Western Conference finals series against the Nuggets.

Lakers coach Darvin Ham is in the house to see the Sparks play against Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury. #NBA #WNBA #WNBATwitter pic.twitter.com/xrxpPCEMHg

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) May 20, 2023

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, a champion of Griner's cause throughout her detention, embraced the former Baylor center as well.

Dawn Staley and Brittney Griner share a big hug before Mercury-Sparks ❤️

(via @SportsCenter)pic.twitter.com/MMcymxMjZk

— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) May 20, 2023