New York: Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner missed her second consecutive game on Sunday due to a hip injury she sustained last week.
The All-Star played Sunday’s game against New York on the court, where he worked out for about an hour and looked good doing a variety of post moves and jumpers. When she walked into the arena, she told The Associated Press that she wanted to play.
She instead sat on the bench to support her teammates after being listed as questionable on the injury report about 20 minutes before the game.
Griner’s first game in New York since his nearly ten-month detention in Russia last year was this one. Phoenix fell to 2-8 on the season after the Liberty defeated the Mercury by a score of 89-71.
Griner posed for photos and signed autographs with fans prior to the game, one of whom carried a sign that read “NY [hearts] BG.” Pre-game, she also caught up with Breanna Stewart, a USA Basketball teammate, and other Liberty players.
When Stewart entered the arena, he was wearing a Griner jersey. During warmups, the two of them hugged and talked for a while.
Stewart stated, “It was my first time seeing her since she’s gotten back.” Seeing her made me feel a little emotional, but it also made me very proud of the way she’s handling everything. She is an inspiration to everyone, and I’m just glad she is safe at home.
Stewart and Griner met in front of the Mercury’s team bus after the game. The Liberty’s star was accompanied by Stewart’s daughter Ruby and wife Marta Xargay. Clara Wu Tsai, owner of Liberty, also made a brief stop to talk to Griner.
Sandy Brondello, Liberty’s coach from 2014 to ’21 in Phoenix, claimed that she dined with Griner on Saturday evening when the Mercury arrived in New York.
Brondello, overcome with emotion, said, “She’s a special human being.” To hug her and feel as though we had just seen each other a week earlier was just wonderful for me. Because of how unique she is, it was wonderful.”
During the initial timeout, the Liberty aired a video package that featured Griner and the efforts of the “Bring Our Families Home” campaign. Griner waved to fans and pointed to her heart after the crowd gave her a loud standing ovation.
On each of the road trips this season, Griner has been greeted with warm applause from the crowd.
The Mercury’s two-game road trip came to an end with the matchup against New York. It was their first since she was hounded at the Dallas airport by what the WNBA called a “provocateur.”
Together with Griner and the Mercury, the league has been discussing various travel options, including charter flights.
Before the game, Phoenix coach Vanessa Nygaard stated that the team had “no issues” with their weekend travel. On Friday, the team played in Washington. She responded, “I do feel good about where we are now,” but she was unable to comment on any changes regarding the team’s current travel arrangements due to security concerns.
Additionally, Phoenix was without Diana Taurasi for the second consecutive game due to a hamstring injury.
This story was made possible by the Associated Press.
