NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says league is working to 'expedite' Brittney Griner's release

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As the 2022 NBA Finals got underway at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver took to the podium to discuss league matters. 

One of those matters – the situation regarding WNBA star Brittney Griner – is quite pressing. 

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver takes questions from reporters before the first game of the NBA finals between the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, California, on June 2, 2022. (Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Griner has been held in Russia since February, after Russian authorities said they found vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage. In early May, the U.S. government determined that Griner was being "wrongfully detained" by the Russian government. 

"It’s been now over 100 days since she’s been illegally held in Russia," Silver said prior to the start of the NBA Finals. "I think it’s something that all of us should be heard on, contacting your representatives and others. I will only say, we are working in lockstep with the U.S. government and outside experts on trying to expedite her release in any way we can. Certainly, our hearts go out to her and her family and are just eager for her safe return"

WNBA STAR BRITTNEY GRINER SEEN FOR FIRST TIME SINCE RUSSIA ARREST, PRE-TRIAL DETENTION EXTENDED

Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury is defended by Azurá Stevens of the Sky during the WNBA Finals at Wintrust Arena on Oct. 17, 2021, in Chicago.  (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

In mid-May, Griner’s pre-trial extension was extended one month, according to her lawyer. Griner’s lawyer believes that the short extension signifies that the case will