She was already an LGBTQ+ activist since publicly coming out in 2013 and became the first openly gay athlete to be sponsored by Nike. The extra exposure from being detained in Russia for having vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage has given Griner a platform to advocate for other Americans being detained abroad. Phoenix opens the regular season in Los Angeles next Friday. "We're making the right moves." Griner announced in April that she is working with Bring Our Families Home "Not where I want it to be, but on the right track," Griner said. But given the trials and emotions of the past 18 months, it was a pretty good night. Griner said she was more rusty on the court than expected. She was runner-up for Most Valuable Player in 2021, when the Mercury also played in the Finals but lost to the Chicago Sky. The former Baylor star helped the franchise win its third title in 2014 and has averaged 17.7 points and 7.6 rebounds during her nine-year career. Griner's return to the Mercury rekindles hope the franchise can make another run to the WNBA Finals.
"That's one thing about this team - we're always there for each other. "When one of us goes down, we're always right there," Griner said. Teammate Sophie Cunningham went down with a knee injury and Griner helped carry her off the court so she didn't have to put weight on her leg. She even had a cameo with the medical staff in the third quarter. A few minutes later, she was fouled on another turnaround and sank both free throws. Once the game started, the 32-year-old Griner immediately went to work, scoring on a turnaround jumper early in the first quarter.
Just to see her back out there - it's an absolute miracle. "We looked at each other and we just had chills," Nygaard said. Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard said the anthem and introductions were emotional for the entire team.
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