Brittney Griner celebrated her comeback in the night from Friday to Saturday. The 32-year-old Phoenix Mercury basketball star was detained in Russia for nearly ten months last year on suspicion of drug smuggling. More than 4,500 spectators gave her a standing ovation before the game.
Griner played 17 minutes against the Los Angeles Sparks in the run-up to the new season in the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association).
She played her last game in 2021, the fourth game in the WNBA Finals. In February 2022, Griner was arrested in Russia on suspicion of drug smuggling. Cannabis oil was found in her hand luggage at a Moscow airport.
Griner uses the oil in the United States for medicinal reasons, but the liquid is banned in Russia. She was sentenced to nine years in prison, but was released in a prisoner exchange late last year.
“I never expected to be able to play basketball again so soon,” Griner said after the 90-71 loss. “I’m very happy to be here again, that’s for sure. But I look forward to the day when it’s just about basketball again.”
Griner recorded ten points and three rebounds on her comeback.
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2023-05-13 08:30:44
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