The Footprint Center in Phoenix was loud, and the energy was electric in anticipation of Brittney Griner’s first home game in 585 days for the Mercury.
Unfortunately, they could not complete a late-game comeback, causing them to fall 0-2 on the season.
But, who else but Griner to score the first basket?
Brittney Griner scores the first bucket of the 2023 season at home 🙌
(via @PhoenixMercury)
pic.twitter.com/yoeTZh6Gbm— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 21, 2023
At one point, Brittney Griner helped cut the lead to within just two points with the fourth quarter winding down. However, the Mercury could never quite overcome a deficit that was created in the second quarter.
Griner finished the afternoon with 27 points on just 13 shot attempts, she also brought in 10 rebounds. It was Griner’s first double-double since the Mercury’s 2021 playoff run.
In her first two games back Brittney Griner is averaging 22.5 points, 8 rebounds, & shooting 73% from the field.
— Rachel Galligan (@RachGall) May 21, 2023
Brittney Griner with arguably one of the best 2-game starts to a season in her career. #WNBATwitter #WNBA pic.twitter.com/RI9mMvx8e1
— Ian Mumm (@FiveOnFiveHoops) May 21, 2023
Not a dry eye in the building🥹We missed you 42! @brittneygriner!💜🧡 pic.twitter.com/xODTYaXHfo
— LaChina Robinson (@LaChinaRobinson) May 21, 2023
Griner is already breaking records just two games into the season.
Brittney Griner is the 1st player in WNBA history to average at least 20 points and 4 blocks per game through her team's first 2 games of a season (averaging 22.5 PPG, 4.0 blocks per game), per @ESPNStatsInfo.
— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) May 21, 2023
Sug Sutton off the bench also provided some much-needed minutes in just her second game wearing a Mercury uniform. Sutton went 5-9 with 13 points and two steals while starting guard Diana Taurasi struggled offensively.
BG been super impressive today. Also Sug Sutton has done well with her mins off the bench
— moyoslaboratory (@moyoslaboratory) May 21, 2023
sug sutton and sds on the perimeter could be something, if that happens.
— women's basketball enjoyer 🐮 🌽 (@_muhkuh) May 21, 2023
Sug Sutton has been such a blast to watch
— Mark Schindler (@MG_Schindler) May 21, 2023
I really like Sug Sutton’s game.
They’re lowkey a defensive menace.— L I Y (@piincknee) May 21, 2023
Really liking what Moriah Jefferson and Sug Sutton are bringing to this PHX squad 💪🏾
— Jonathan Kelly (@kellysunnnn) May 21, 2023
Okay I’m going to say it.. it’s time for #dianatruasi to retire and that @PhoenixMercury could use a lot of those released rookies and players #wnba #WNBATwitter
— I94Podcast (@i94podcast) May 21, 2023
The Phoenix Mercury will now take on the Minnesota Lynx on Friday, back at the Footprint Center, with hopes of securing their first win of the season. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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