PHOENIX — Brittney Griner received an emotional welcome home Wednesday night as she returned to Phoenix for the first time since signing with the Atlanta Dream.
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Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner (42) signs autographs for fans before playing against the Phoenix Mercury at PHX Arena, Jul 23, 2025. © Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Fans welcomed the former Phoenix Mercury center, who spent time signing autographs and taking pictures before Wednesday’s game. Griner also met up with former teammate Kahleah Copper and head coach Nate Tibbetts, with a video tribute played minutes before tip-off.
The X-Factor welcome back Brittney Griner in her return to Phoenix since signing with the Atlanta Dream.#PhoenixMercury #PHXMercury #ValleyTogether pic.twitter.com/QhkezaptLc
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) July 24, 2025
Mercury legend Diana Tausari and Penny Taylor were also in attendance, supporting their friend and former teammate. When asked about what it meant coming back to the desert, Griner said it “meant everything.”
“When I looked over, I saw [Taurasi] and [Taylor] over there, I think that kind of ignited me a little bit,” she said, according to the Mercury’s postgame notes. “Just being back on the court that I basically started my career on and played the majority of, it just felt good.”
Jul 23, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury’s Diana Taurasi talks to Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner (42) after a game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Not only did fans in attendance show love for the 2014 WNBA Champion, but also fans online expressed how much Griner has meant to the organization.
My family is back omfg🥹 https://t.co/3gH8fgZLqc
— Klara (@bajenscfcw) July 24, 2025
Love to BG 🫶
— brmf29 (@nm9fyv9n4m) July 24, 2025
Oh my allergies 😭 https://t.co/FsHZbLJmTs
— the boyfriend 🇩🇴🏁 (@_InkMyThoughts) July 24, 2025
A fan holds a sign for Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner before a game against the Phoenix Mercury at PHX Arena, Jul 23, 2025. © Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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