Brittney Griner made a dominant return at the WNBA All-Star game last weekend. She threw down two dunks and scored 18 points which marked her first season after being detained in Russia for almost a year.
“I called my knees and talked to them and gave them a little pep talk,” the 32-year-old Griner said of her dunks.
The crowd roared when Griner was introduced, and clearly moved by the ovation, she tapped her heart with her right hand. There was no doubt, a year after forcefully being absent from this event, that Griner was the star of the show.
Griner’s team( Phoenix Mercury) led by captain Breanna Stewart, won the game 143-127 against Team Wilson (Los Angeles Aces).
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The game was played with a 20-second shot clock rather than the usual 24, two four-point spots on each side of the court were added and there were no free throws. The teams combined to hit 12 four-point shots.
”I just love being here,” Griner said Saturday during her postgame interview. “I love competing. I love just doing everything for the fans. I’m just honoured to be on this court.”
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Griner’ arrest last year sparked diplomatic drama between the US and the Kremlin that played out alongside Russia’s war in Ukraine. Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison in early August and was released in a prisoner swap in December.
