Brittney Griner’s First Preseason Game Back: A Return Marked by Healing, Performance, and Perspective

This past weekend held deep significance for Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner, an eight‑time WNBA All‑Star, who stepped back onto the court for the first time in 572 days following her release from Russian imprisonment. In a preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks, Griner logged 10 points and 3 rebounds in a loss, but performance took a backseat to the emotional resonance of her return. 
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1. Grateful Return After Ordeal

Griner’s return to professional basketball came after nearly ten months in Russian detention on drug-related charges, a saga that ended in December 2022 via a high-profile prisoner swap. The Mercury’s young center expressed immense gratitude:

“I’m grateful to be here, that’s for sure… I’m not going to take a day for granted.”
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Despite the long layoff, she moved fluidly on the court, caps off her warm-up with an effortless one-handed dunk—an early signal that her time away did little to diminish her natural ability.
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2. Hearing the Anthem “Hits Different”

Perhaps the most noteworthy moment was her response to the national anthem. Griner once vocally protested playing the anthem before games during 2020, citing racial injustice and refusing to take the court during its performance. 
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Now, after her experience of wrongful detention, Griner said she stood with her teammates—and the anthem “definitely hit different.” She described the moment as akin to standing on an Olympic podium, watching the flags rise before hearing the anthem play. 

“It just hits different. Being here today… it means a lot.”
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Coach Vanessa Nygaard confirmed the emotional tone:

“We were here last year for all of it… it’s an absolute miracle. It was amazing.”
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3. The Game: Stats and Symbolism

Though the Mercury fell 90–71, Griner logged 10 points, 3 rebounds, and helped spark morale in a supportive way. She appeared rusty but committed, carrying injured teammates off the court, and demonstrating she still prioritizes team unity first.
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Her presence reminded fans of her peak 2021 campaign—when she averaged 20.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and helped lead the Mercury to the WNBA Finals as league MVP runner-up. 
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4. Social Media Responds: Divided and Viral

Griner’s comments about the anthem ignited an eruption of social media responses. On Reddit and Twitter, reactions ranged from empathy to sharp criticism:

“This could be a real humbling moment… she really got a good look at what a truly oppressive country looks like.”
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“To bad it took that for her to appreciate the US.”
“She should have been left there… we should have brought back the other true patriot.”
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Supporters responded compassionately:

“I’m happy for her. Everyone makes mistakes. Hopefully humility sticks. She can be a role model.”
“Freedom will do that to you.”
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A particularly poignant comment on Reddit read:

“People aren’t happy we had to give up a Russian arms dealer for this… But the sellout was getting her released.”
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These posts reflect deep divisions over patriotism, protest, race, and forgiveness.

5. A Life-Changing Realignment

Griner’s transformation—from anthem protester to standing in gratitude—stems from harsh lessons learned overseas. According to her agent’s 2023 op-ed for Time Magazine, the experience gave her newfound appreciation for constitutional freedoms, including the right to protest itself.
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Her return to the WNBA aligned with renewed personal agency and purposeful visibility, including advocating for other Americans detained abroad.

6. Why This Moment Matters

This game was less about box scores and more about symbols:

Return from injustice: A woman returns to sport after wrongful imprisonment.

Evolving patriotism: Someone once critical of flag rituals now stands in reverence.

Visibility for advocacy: Her platform now includes human rights awareness and freedom advocacy.

Nygaard’s reflection captured the weight:

“Just to see her back out there—it’s an absolute miracle.”
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7. Beyond Basketball: Legacy and Leadership

Griner’s journey now includes a new layer: using fame for activism. Since her return, she’s been working with Bring Our Families Home, a campaign supporting Americans detained abroad. She has met with families of those still imprisoned—continuing her advocacy beyond scoring stats. 
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At press conferences, she emphasized that standing for the anthem doesn’t negate support for protest—she stands both for her new understanding and for those who still choose to kneel. 
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8. What Lies Ahead for the Mercury and the League

Griner’s return set the stage for emotional resonance heading into the regular season. Her performance and visible leadership may reignite interest in the Mercury and WNBA more broadly. With her platform now including sports and social causes, Griner represents a hybrid role model.

For the Mercury’s season opener against the Sparks in Los Angeles, people expect higher stakes on the court—but it’s her emotional presence that may define her comeback year.

9. Cultural Significance: Protest, Privilege, and Redemption

Griner’s anthem evolution raises larger cultural questions:

Can protest transform into patriotism? Her transition suggests yes, influenced by adversity.

Does trauma reshape beliefs? Her detention reframed how she perceives national symbols.

Is public forgiveness possible? Reactions show the struggle around trust, anger, and legacy.

10. Conclusion: More Than a Game

While the Mercury’s preseason loss was overshadowed by bigger themes, Griner’s return was a rebirth. In her 10 points and emotional presence, she tapped into something far deeper than athletics—a reclamation of her narrative and a testament to resilience.

Her anthem remarks—once divisive—now carry complexity: a blend of protest, healing, gratitude, and advocacy. In saying “it hits different,” she invited fans to look beyond the past protests, to a player whose views changed under unimaginable circumstances—and who hopes both protest and patriotism can coexist.