On Friday, opening night of a new WNBA season, Brittney Griner played in her first regular season game with the Phoenix Mercury since being released from Russian detainment.
Griner was at the center of worldwide attention after being placed in Russian penal colony on drug charges.
A prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia allowed for her return back home in December.
The Mercury faced off against the Sparks at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Griner received applause from the visiting crowd as she appeared on the floor.
She scored 18 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Despite those efforts, the Mercury lost 71 to 90.
The Mercury’s home opener is Sunday night against the Chicago Sky.
