Brittney Griner had an emotional and powerful return to Phoenix, the city where her WNBA journey began. Now playing for the Atlanta Dream, Griner helped her new team win 90-79 against her former team, the Phoenix Mercury, on Wednesday night.
This was not just another game. Griner, who played 11 seasons with the Mercury and won a WNBA championship in 2014, received a warm welcome and was honored with a tribute video before the game.
Emotional Night for Brittney Griner
Before the game started, the Phoenix Mercury paid tribute to Griner with a special video that brought back memories of her long and successful time with the team. Former Mercury stars Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor were also present courtside, making the night even more special.
Griner admitted that it was tough to hold back her tears.
“When I looked over and saw D and Penny, it kind of ignited me a little bit,” she said. “Just being back where I started my career, it felt good. Seeing the crowd, familiar faces, hearing old stories — it was really special.”
Griner finished the game with 17 points and 8 rebounds, playing a key role in Atlanta’s win.
Allisha Gray Leads the Way for Atlanta
While Griner had a strong performance, it was Allisha Gray who led the scoring for the Atlanta Dream. Gray scored 28 points, hitting 10 of 16 shots. This was her 10th 20-point game of the season.
She scored a crucial layup late in the game to give Atlanta an 84-71 lead. Even when Phoenix tried to come back with quick 3-pointers, Griner responded with a strong basket in the paint, helping her team stay ahead.
Jordin Canada added 14 points, and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough had 11 for Atlanta. Rhyne Howard, the team’s second-best scorer, did not play in this game.
Phoenix Struggled Despite Key Players Returning
Phoenix was hopeful with the return of Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper, who had been out since July 3 due to injuries. Sabally scored 13 points, Copper added 10, and DeWanna Bonner had 18. Alyssa Thomas also stood out with 7 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists — nearly a triple-double.
But despite their efforts, the Mercury couldn’t overcome poor shooting. They hit just 29.7% of their shots and made only 3 of 15 attempts from 3-point range. Free throws helped them stay close, as they made all 9 of their first-half attempts.
Brittney Griner’s return to Phoenix was filled with emotion, memories, and strong play. She not only helped Atlanta secure a win but also showed that her legacy in Phoenix remains strong. The tribute and the crowd’s response proved how much she still means to the city.
While the Mercury struggled on the court, the night belonged to Griner and her inspiring journey in the WNBA.
