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Basketball player Brittney Griner made a triumphant return to Phoenix, where she spent the first 11 seasons of her career, on Wednesday night.
Now playing for the Atlanta Dream, Griner scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a game against her former team, the Mercury, leading her current team to a 90-79 victory.
The Mercury paid tribute to Griner with a video before the game, and her longtime teammate Diana Taurasi was present courtside.
Brittney Griner of the Atlanta Dream smiles before the game against the Mercury on July 23, 2025, at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. (Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
“When I looked over and saw D and Penny [Taylor] over there, it kind of ignited me a little bit. Just being back on the court where I basically started my career on, played the majority of it, it just felt good. The crowd, seeing familiar faces, hearing old stories, signing jerseys that I’ve signed like a thousand times, it was good. It was a really good feeling.”
Griner was instrumental in helping the Mercury secure a WNBA championship in 2014. During her time in Phoenix, she was a nine-time All-Star, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and frequently in the running for MVP.
She missed the 2022 season due to an incident in Russia.
Brittney Griner of the Atlanta Dream and Diana Taurasi pose for a photo after the Mercury game on July 23, 2025, at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. (Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
In her 315 games with the Mercury, all of which she started, Griner averaged 17.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, along with 2.6 blocks per contest. During her back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year seasons, she averaged 3.8 and 4.0 blocks per game.
Griner has started all 21 games she played for the Dream this year, averaging 10.2 points and 5.7 rebounds. Her 17-point performance on Wednesday was one of her best this season.
Griner signed a one-year contract with the Dream during the offseason.
Brittney Griner of the Atlanta Dream waves to fans before the Mercury game on July 23, 2025, in Phoenix. (Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images)
Griner’s impressive career includes being a two-time scoring champion, leading the league in blocks eight times, and earning spots on seven All-Defensive teams.
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