Brittney Griner plays in 1st WNBA pre-season game since detainment in Russia

Brittney Griner strolled down the sideline about one-and-a-half hours before the Phoenix Mercury played Friday night, giving hugs and high-fiving her teammates, coaches and opposing players.

Then it was a little stretching, a little shooting and a little agility work to prepare for a basketball game.

Just like old times.

"I'm grateful to be here, that's for sure," Griner said. "I'm not going to take a day for granted."

Griner returned to game action for the first time since a nearly 10-month detainment in Russia on drug-related charges ended with a prisoner swap in December. The seven-time all-star, who missed the entire 2022 season because of the detainment, finished with 10 points and three rebounds in a WNBA pre-season game against the Los Angeles Sparks.

The return! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ValleyTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ValleyTogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/LGCKo2kP4L">pic.twitter.com/LGCKo2kP4L</a>

The six-foot-nine Griner looked good, especially considering the long layoff, casually throwing down a one-handed dunk during warmups. She stood with her teammates while the national anthem was played and received a loud ovation from the home crowd when she was introduced before tipoff.

"Hearing the national anthem, it definitely hit different," Griner said. "It's like when you go for the Olympics, you're sitting there, about to get gold put on your neck, the flags are going up and the anthem is playing, it just hits different.

Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard said the anthem and introductions were emotional for the entire team.

"We looked at each other and we just had chills," Nygaard said. "We were here last year for all of it. I'm getting emotional about it now. Just to see her back out