Phoenix Mercury

[WATCH] Diana Taurasi Becomes First WNBA Player to Score 10,000 Points

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Diana Taurasi Becomes First WNBA Player to Score 10,000 Points

Diana Taurasi became the first player in WNBA history to reach 10,000 points a career. The moment came in the third quarter of the Thursday night matchup against the Atlanta Dream.

Early in the third quarter, Taurasi curled off a screen to catch a pass from teammate Moriah Jefferson, and she pulled a long 3-pointer, swishing it through and setting the record.

“I’m kind of happy it happened with a 3,” Taurasi said to ESPN. “I’m happy that someone set a screen. I’m happy that someone passed me the ball. That’s how basketball is played, with everyone having a little part, and it’s perfect.”

For the game, Taurasi scored 42 points, and the Phoenix Mercury won 91-71, making for an overall happy night in the desert.

The post [WATCH] Diana Taurasi Becomes First WNBA Player to Score 10,000 Points first appeared on The Source.

The post [WATCH] Diana Taurasi Becomes First WNBA Player to Score 10,000 Points appeared first on The Source.

Brittney Griner Makes First WNBA Return To Home State Of Texas

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In an emotional homecoming, WNBA star Brittney Griner played in her home state of Texas for the first time since being released from Russian detention. Griner was born in Houston and stayed in-state for college, winning a National Championship with Baylor in 2012. However, she has played her entire WNBA career in Phoenix after the Mercury drafted her first overall in 2013.

Griner was in Texas to face the Dallas Wings. The Mercury were hoping to find their second win of the season, entering the matchup 1-3. Meanwhile, the Wings were 3-3 and looking to push their win percentage above .500. Griner was the joint-leading scorer with 24 points. However, a late rally from the Wings soured the evening as the Mercury fell 84-79. The teams will face off again on Friday.

Griner Feels The Love, College Jersey Retirement Teased

Aside from the game against the Wings, Griner also returned to her alma mater to meet the current crop of Baylor players. Furthermore, Baylor head coach Nicki Collen also raised the idea of retiring Griner’s jersey in the near future. “That’s the goal,” Collen said. “We’re opening a new arena. There’s no doubt that I want to see her jersey in the rafters.” Baylor’s new basketball arena, Foster Pavillion, is scheduled to open in January 2024. Collen, who coached Griner in the WNBA, was very keen to re-establish a positive relationship after taking over at Baylor in 2021. Furthermore, this represents a definitive shift in Griner’s relationship with Baylor. Griner’s college coach, Kim Mulkey, openly avoided discussing Griner’s detention in Russia. Furthermore, Griner has previously said that Mulkey demanded she hide her sexuality while Griner was at Baylor.

Griner also spoke about the reception she received in Texas. When her name was announced, the fans at College Park Center went absolutely wild for the veteran center. “It was good seeing everybody and just being back in Texas. I miss being here. When I came out and they announced my name, the love meant a lot to me,” Griner said of the crowd. As mentioned, the Mercury will remain in Texas for a few more days, facing off again on Friday. They will then travel to Indiana for a game on Sunday.

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Brittney Griner Balling Out In WNBA Return

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Prior to May 19, Brittney Griner had not played in the WNBA since October 2021. Griner had been arrested in Russia in February 2022 on drug charges and spent the 2022 season in a Russian prison. However, the veteran center returned to the United States via a prisoner swap in December 2022. Despite fears that Griner might sit out the 2023 season, she made it clear that she would play.

Griner rejoined a Phoenix Mercury team in a state of flux. The team finished 15-21 in 2022, their second losing season in the last four years. However, they still entered the playoffs as the eight-seed but were swept in the first round. It was a disappointing decline from their Finals appearance in 2021. With Griner’s return, there were high hopes that the Mercury could bounce back. They were named among the title contender conversation, if not title favorites due to the superteams that had formed in Las Vegas and New York.

Griner’s Hot But The Mercury Are Not

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MAY 21: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury reacts after hitting a three-point shot against the Chicago Sky during the second half of the WNBA game at Footprint Center on May 21, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

A grueling and unimaginable year away from the court appears to have had little effect on Griner’s game. Through the Mercury’s first two games of the season, Griner has 45 points, 16 rebounds, and 8 blocks. Furthermore, she recorded a double-double against the Chicago Sky on May 21 (25 points, 10 rebounds). The problem is that Griner is really the only player in Phoenix hooping hard.

The Mercury are 0-2 after losses to two rebuilding teams in the Sparks and Sky. By comparison, the Mercury have the fifth-best odds to win the WNBA title this season. There are signs of life in Phoenix, but they have simply been outplayed in their first two games. The Mercury are in win-now mode, trading a lot of 2023 capital to build a team around Griner and Diana Taurasi. However, that team has simply not come together through the opening games of the season. They will look to turn things around against the Minnesota Lynx on May 25.

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Brittney Griner Appears In First US Game Since 2021

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The last time Brittney Griner stepped onto a basketball court in the United States in a professional capacity was October 17, 2021. She put 28 points and seven rebounds in an 80-74 loss that sealed the WNBA Championship for the Chicago Sky. Exactly four months, she was arrested at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow on drug smuggling charges. In what many decried as a political imprisonment, she was sentenced to nine years in a Russian penal colony.

On December 8, Griner returned to the United States after being exchanged in a prisoner swap for convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout. While there were concerns about Griner’s future, the eight-time all-star made it clear that she intended to return to the court with the Phoenix Mercury. She officially re-signed with the team in February and is the most experienced center on the roster. She will be backed up by Megan Gustafson and Kylee Shook.

Griner Scores 10 In US Court Return

573 days after last stepping foot on a US basketball court, Griner donned her Mercury prepared to face her first American audience in nearly two years. As she stepped out in view, the 17,000 fans packed into Phoenix’s Footprint Center rose to their feet to give the center a standing ovation. Griner high-fived her teammates before pointing to the sky as she prepared to take on the rebuilding Los Angeles Sparks. The Sparks have the second-lowest odds to win the WNBA Championship in 2023.

The result, a 90-71 win for the Sparks, wasn’t important to the fans in the crowd. They were largely there to see Griner. Playing 17 minutes in the preseason game, Griner put up 10 points. She also pulled down three rebounds as Vanessa Nygaard rotated her players frequently. But Griner showed without a doubt that she was ready for the 2023 season. Without Griner, the Mercury went 15-21 in 2022 but still made the playoffs as the eighth seed. The Mercury will face the Sparks again on May 19 for their regular season opener in Los Angeles. Are you excited for the 2023 WNBA season? How do you think Brittney Griner will do this season? Let us know in the comments.

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Wyclef Jean to Perform at Brittney Griner’s WNBA Return Home Game

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wyclef jean

Brittney Griner’s first home game in her return to the WNBA will have a special guest. According to TMZ, Wyclef Jean will perform a special halftime set to celebrate the return of the Phoenix Mercury star.

Wyclef‘s performance will be a joint effort of the Mercury and The Sum, bringing the performance to the May 21 game bringing the Mercury opposite of the Chicago Sky in a 2021 WNBA Finals rematch.

Wyclef is set to perform Bob Marley’s “One Love” and will be joined by 200 fans to perform with him. In addition, Jean will deliver a postgame concert.

After inking a new one-year deal with the Phoenix Mercury, Brittney Griner has returned to the WNBA court.

The Mercury dropped a new set of pictures in the gym working on her craft. The caption was noted, “There she is.”

Griner’s new deal was announced for one-year at $165,100.

“It’s a great day for all of us to announce that Brittney Griner has officially signed to play for the Mercury in 2023,” general manager Jim Pitman said in a statement. “We missed BG every day that she was gone and, while basketball was not our primary concern, her presence on the floor, in our locker room, around our organization, and within our community was greatly missed.

“We will continue to use the resources of our organization to support her, on and off the floor, and we are thrilled for her that she gets to return to basketball, which she loves so dearly. This is a special signing and today is a special day for all of us.”

The post Wyclef Jean to Perform at Brittney Griner’s WNBA Return Home Game appeared first on The Source.

Brittney Griner Gets Emotional On WNBA Return

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Brittney Griner’s long road to returning to the WNBA has taken the next step. On Thursday, Griner spoke with the media about her return to the league. During the press conference, it was hard for Griner to keep her emotions in check. The WNBA star was detained in Russia in March of 2022 for possession of Marijuana. What followed was a very public demand for the release of the basketball star. After 10 long months, Griner was freed from Russia in a prisoner swap with Russia.

Griner has kept it no secret how she was treated during her time in detainment. However, Griner is done discussing the negatives. Now, she is thankful for the opportunity to have her life back. “Thank y’all for covering me and all the exposure that you gave me, my family to get me home… I expect to see the same coverage because we have a great product.” Many in the media made Griner’s freedom a top priority, as well as many celebrities.

Brittney Griner Is Thankful To Be Home

During her return press conference, Griner mentioned that she would not be going overseas again. Except for one condition. “I can say for me, I’m never going overseas to play again unless I’m representing my country at the Olympics… The whole reason a lot of us go overseas is the pay gap, to make an income, to support our families, to support ourselves.” Griner isn’t the first, or will she be the last, to take her talents overseas to make a livable wage playing the game she is passionate about. However, the United States has attempted to make a change with that issue.

The pay gap between female and male athletes has long been an issue in the United States. However, many professional leagues are taking the necessary steps to give women the same opportunities as men. Brittney Griner’s story will not soon be forgotten. The Phoenix star plans on releasing a memoir about her time in a Russian prison. For now, we all can celebrate that another American citizen has been brought home safely. For the latest news in sports, keep it right here with HNHH.

Kevin Durant & Brittney Griner Reunite At Suns Facility: Watch

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Kevin Durant is currently in Phoenix right now as he looks to play his first game with the Phoenix Suns. At this point, there is no denying that the Suns are title contenders. Overall, they boast the talents of Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Deandre Ayton, and then KD. Although time will tell whether or not this is a winning combination, it is currently looking very good. Fans seem confident that this roster can win it all, and barring injuries, they are definitely favorites to win it all. Hopefully, KD can deliver.

Phoenix basketball as a whole is in very good hands. This is because it was announced last week that Brittney Griner would be returning to the Phoenix Mercury this season. Over the last year or so, Griner has been through a lot of personal hardship. However, she wants to be back on the floor, and as a result, the Mercury are being seen as potential champions. After all, she has already won with them in the past. Needless to say, it should be a whole lot of fun.

Kevin Durant x Brittney Griner

As a member of the Mercury, Griner gets to practice at the same facility as the Suns. This subsequently led to a reunion between KD and BG. In the video posted above, you can see Durant and Griner hugging it out on the court. Griner was in the midst of a training session, and Durant wanted to pay her a visit. It was a very heartwarming moment that the Mercury social media team captioned “All love between BG x KD. It’s a new dawn in the desert.” If you live in Phoenix and love basketball, then you are living through a fantastic era.

Hopefully, both Griner and KD are able to deliver on what fans are expecting. In fact, we could very well see the Suns and Mercury win a title in the same year. Overall, that would be truly special, especially when you consider the entire context of Griner and Durant’s careers. Be sure to keep it locked to HNHH as we will continue to bring you the latest news and updates from around the sports world.

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Brittney Griner Hits Mercury Practice Court After Signing New Deal for Upcoming Season

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Brittney Griner Hits Mercury Practice Court After Signing New Deal for Upcoming Season

After inking a new one-year deal with the Phoenix Mercury, Brittney Griner has returned to the WNBA court.

The Mercury dropped a new set of pictures in the gym working on her craft. The caption was noted, “There she is.”

Griner’s new deal was announced on Tuesday, signing for one-year at $165,100.

“It’s a great day for all of us to announce that Brittney Griner has officially signed to play for the Mercury in 2023,” general manager Jim Pitman said in a statement. “We missed BG every day that she was gone and, while basketball was not our primary concern, her presence on the floor, in our locker room, around our organization, and within our community was greatly missed.

“We will continue to use the resources of our organization to support her, on and off the floor, and we are thrilled for her that she gets to return to basketball, which she loves so dearly. This is a special signing and today is a special day for all of us.”

The post Brittney Griner Hits Mercury Practice Court After Signing New Deal for Upcoming Season appeared first on The Source.

Brittney Griner Gets Back On The Court: Photos

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Brittney Griner is someone who has had a tremendously difficult year. Around this time last year, Griner was taken to a Russian prison on drug possession and smuggling chargers. Subsequently, Griner plead guilty to the charges and was sentenced to nine years in prison. However, the United States government continued to work diligently in an effort to get her out. In the end, Griner was able to leave Russia in a prisoner swap that turned out to be very controversial.

Since that time, Griner has been spending a lot of time with her family. Her wife Cherrelle was a huge reason for her release, and they have been enjoying their reconnection. Moreover, Griner has been making big decisions as it pertains to her basketball career. Overall, Griner decided to come back for one season with the Phoenix Mercury. This is going to be a massive comeback that fans are extremely excited about. Additionally, she will be paired back up with Diana Taurasi, which makes the Mercury title contenders, yet again. As it turns out, Griner is already looking to get in shape for this upcoming season.

Brittney Griner Works Out

In new photos posted by the Phoenix Mercury on Instagram, Griner could be seen getting in a workout in the team’s practice facility. Throughout all of the shots, Griner was all smiles. Overall, it is very clear that she loves the game of basketball. Over in Russia, she was unable to play the sport, and we’re sure it was a strain on her mental health. Now, she seems as motivated as ever to have a truly phenomenal season. After all, she is someone who has won a championship before, and she is eager to chasse that feeling yet again.

Hopefully, this is a successful season for Griner. She is one of the brightest stars throughout the WNBA, and her presence will most definitely be felt. Additionally, it seems clear that her teammates are overjoyed to have her back for this upcoming run. Let us know what you think of all of this, in the comments down below. Moreover, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the sports world.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Brittney Griner Signs 1-Year Deal With Phoenix Mercury

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Brittney Griner

Brittney Griner is set to return to the WNBA in the upcoming season, as it has been reported she’s signed a new one-year contract with the Phoenix Mercury. The news follows Griner recent high-profile 10-month imprisonment in Russia, in which she vowed to return to professional basketball following her release in December.

MORE: Brittney Griner Cut Her Hair While in Russian Custody Because It Kept Freezing

“I intend to play basketball for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season,” said Griner during a press conference. “And in doing so, I look forward to being able to say ‘thank you’ to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon.”

The 32-year-old center rejoins the Mercury with a $165,100 deal that will enable the organization to secure two veteran minimum and two base minimum contracts within the salary cap for next season. Griner has been seen working out sporadically since her release from Russian custody last December. 

MORE: Brittney Griner Dunks in Light Basketball Workout at Fort Sam Houston

Griner’s last game in the WNBA was back in 2021 when the Mercury lost to Chicago in the WNBA Finals.

Mercury has not officially announced the re-signing of Brittney Griner at press time. The WNBA’s 2023-2024 season begins May 19.

Griner and her wife were last seen on a public outing at this year’s Super Bowl LVII in Phoenix, Arizona.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Brittney Griner Signs 1-Year Deal With Phoenix Mercury appeared first on The Source.