LOS ANGELES (Associated Press) — Brittney Griner had 18 points, six rebounds and four blocked shots for the Phoenix Mercury in her first WNBA regular-season game since being jailed in Russia.
The Los Angeles Sparks won 94-71 in the teams’ opener.
Griner was back in action after being detained in Russia on drug-related charges. The 32-year-old center was arrested a Moscow airport in February 2022 after Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges containing cannabis oil. She returned to the U.S. in December as part of a high-profile prisoner swap.
Griner hugged Vice-President Kamala Harris as she left the court before the game.
