Crowd size for Brittney Griner’s WNBA return baffles coach: ‘How was it not a sellout?’

The Phoenix Mercury have been on the highway to start out the 2023 WNBA season because the group took on the Los Angeles Sparks on the Crypto.com Enviornment in Brittney Griner’s official return to the ground.

Griner had 18 points, six rebounds, 4 blocks and two assists in Phoenix’s 94-71 loss. However it was a giant second for the previous Baylor standout as she returned to the court docket for the primary time since 2021. She missed all of final season as she was jailed in Russia on a drug conviction. She returned to the U.S. in December as a part of a prisoner swap for arms supplier Viktor Bout.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Mercury middle Brittney Griner high-fives head coach Vanessa Nygaard throughout a sport on the Footprint Middle on Could 12, 2023, in Phoenix. (Patrick Breen-USA In the present day Community)

As a result of it was her return, Mercury head coach Vanessa Nygaard was anticipating a a lot fuller enviornment.

“I imply, it was nice. However like truthfully, c’mon now LA. We didn’t promote out the sector for BG?” Nygaard stated. “Like, I anticipated extra, , to be trustworthy. Proper, it was nice, it was loud. However how was it not a sellout? How was it not a sellout?”

Griner stated it was good to be again in an actual sport however wished to select up the win.

VP HARRIS GIVES PREGAME SPEECH AHEAD OF BRITTNEY GRINER’S WNBA RETURN

Phoenix Mercury middle Brittney Griner is defended by Sparks ahead Joyner Holmes at Crypto.com Enviornment in Los Angeles on Could 19, 2023. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA In the present day Sports activities)

“It was good to be again on the court docket and in an actual sport and the whole lot. The love from the followers who got here out was wonderful and the gamers. I positively felt it and I felt it once I was there (Russia),” she stated, through the Arizona Republic. “It was good, however performance-wise, it wasn’t ok as a result of I couldn’t assist the group with a dub.”

The sector may match about 19,068 and about 10,396 folks got here to the sport, in response to ESPN. The Sparks’ common attendance is greater than 5,600. The team finished 13-23 final season and haven’t been to the playoffs because the 2020 coronavirus-impacted season.

Phoenix Mercury middle Brittney Griner retains the ball out of the attain of Sparks guard Jordin Canada on Could 19, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA In the present day Sports activities)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The Sparks final gained the Finals in 2016.