Brittney Griner Scores 17 Points in Emotional Phoenix Mercury Return

Brittney Griner, a 10-time WNBA All-Star and 2014 Phoenix Mercury champion, returned to Phoenix for the first time since signing with the Atlanta Dream in free agency. The Mercury honored Griner with a heartfelt pregame tribute that included a video highlighting her career and standing ovations from fans, with former teammates Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor courtside. Griner expressed strong emotions about returning to the team and city where she began her career, signing autographs and sharing warm embraces with the Mercury community. In the game, Griner contributed 17 points and 8 rebounds, helping the Mercury secure a 90-79 victory over the Dream. The event was marked by nostalgia and mutual respect, with fans and players celebrating Griner’s lasting impact on the franchise. Meanwhile, Griner's presence has helped position the Dream as championship contenders, even as they maintain a competitive record in the Eastern Conference.