Brittney Griner plays first match for Phoenix Mercury since release from Russian custody

Griner missed the full 2022 play due to the fact that of her detainment

American Brittney Griner played for the archetypal clip since leaving situation successful Russia successful a pre-season lucifer for Phoenix Mercury connected Friday.

She was roared onto the tribunal and played for 17 minutes, scoring with a two-point changeable successful the archetypal minute.

"I didn't deliberation I would beryllium sitting here," she said afterwards.

"I didn't deliberation I would beryllium playing hoops this quickly."

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In total, Griner, the two-time Olympic champion and 1 of the world's champion and astir high-profile pistillate basketballers, scored 10 points with 3 rebounds successful the 90-71 nonaccomplishment to Los Angeles Sparks.

It was her archetypal lucifer for Mercury since 2021.

"I didn't cognize however it was going to go, getting backmost into it," she said. "I'm grateful to beryllium here, that's for sure.

"It feels good, you decidedly consciousness appreciated. But I can't hold for the time wherever it's benignant of similar conscionable basketball."

Griner, who had been playing successful the Russian Premier League, was arrested astatine a Moscow airdrome successful February 2022 for possessing cannabis oil. She pleaded blameworthy to the charges, was sentenced to 9 years successful situation and and sent to a penal colony.

In all, she spent 10 months successful Russian custody earlier the US authorities - nether unit from activists, politicians and those adjacent to Griner - struck a woody with Russia to merchandise her successful speech for notorious Russian arms trader Viktor Bout.

She has since campaigned for different American prisoners to beryllium released and vowed to instrumentality for the Mercury this season.

They statesman their regular play connected the roadworthy successful Los Angeles against the Sparks connected 19 May.