Brittney Griner shared her excitement in returning to Texas for a Mercury vs Wings matchup.
© 2023 Miss Ari Photography
Arlington - For the first time since her imprisonment in Russia, Brittney Griner played in a WNBA game in Texas, her home state. Much to the delight of a sold out crowd, Griner appeared moved by her family, friends, former teammates and supporters who came out to College Park Center on Wednesday night.
In the first of back-to-back games against the Phoenix Mercury, the Dallas Wings won Wednesday’s contest 84-79.
While the night was indeed about celebrating Griner, the Wings put on an impressive performance despite notable injuries. Crystal Dangerfield was injured during the Wings’ game at Connecticut on Sunday. She now joins both Diamond DeShields and Lou Lopez Senechal on the team’s injured list. Hours before the game, veteran and Texas native Odyssey Sims was signed to the Dallas roster. Both Sims and recent signee Kalani Brown proved to be important pieces in the victory.
“This team just has a will to win,” says Dallas Coach Latricia Trammell.
Dallas out-rebounded Phoenix 50 - 26 and scored 21 second chance points. Phoenix only had four. The matchup was quite a physical one, with Dallas’ Satou Sabally taking more than a few hard fouls and tumbles to the hardwood. When asked how she kept her composure, Sabally immediately credited: “Self talk in my head - to stay calm.”
Satou Sabally scored 24 points in Dallas’ victory over Phoenix.
© 2023 Miss Ari Photography
Sabally scored 24 points and collected 10 rebounds. Brown and Arike Ogunbowale each scored 17 points. Dallas rookie Maddie Siegrest played 19 minutes off the bench and scored a career-high 14 points. Her tough minutes proved extremely valuable, as she battled for eight rebounds.
Griner had an impressive outing and was the Mercury’s leading scorer with 24 points on 10 of 18 shooting.
The WNBA star spent a great deal of time with the media after the game, reflecting on fond memories with her high school team and her time at Baylor University. Much of her message was about how her perspective has changed and how much she values her freedom.
“The little things just don’t matter anymore,” says Griner.
When asked to further expound on how her detainment in Russia changed her, she did not shy away from sharing that she will never play overseas again, before reminding the media about her efforts to help other Americans who are detained in other countries.
“We have to apply pressure where we can (social media and our voices) to make the tough decisions to get these families reunited,” shared Griner.
Phoenix (1-4) will remain in Dallas (4-3) for a second matchup on Friday night. The Wings remain undefeated at home this season.
