Coach surprised by small crowd at Brittney Griner’s WNBA comeback.

Brittney Griner’s Return to the WNBA

Even if you consider yourself a sports fan, you may not have known that the WNBA season started on Friday. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. The league has been struggling to gain relevance in recent years, with women’s college basketball often stealing the spotlight.

However, if there’s one WNBA player you might recognize, it’s Brittney Griner. Her recent detainment and arrest in Russia made headlines, and after 10 months in custody, she was finally able to return to the United States.

Griner made her return to the court on Friday as the center for the Phoenix Mercury. Despite the team’s loss to the Los Angeles Sparks, Griner put up impressive numbers with 18 points, six rebounds, and four blocks.

Coach’s Confusion

After the game, Mercury head coach Vanessa Nygaard expressed her confusion and disappointment that the arena wasn’t sold out for Griner’s return. However, the reality is that WNBA games rarely sell out, and the crowd of over 10,000 fans was actually double the Sparks’ average attendance from last season.

While Griner’s return is certainly noteworthy, it’s important to remember that she’s not without controversy. Her detainment in Russia was a result of breaking the country’s laws regarding recreational drugs, and while her treatment was unjust, it’s not a clear-cut cultural win for the WNBA.

On a positive note, Griner did stand for the national anthem before the game, a change from her previous criticism of the tradition. While this alone won’t necessarily boost attendance, it’s a step in the right direction for the league.

• WNBA struggles to gain relevance
• Brittney Griner returns to the court
• Coach disappointed by crowd size
• Griner’s controversial past
• Griner stands for national anthem

While the WNBA may not be the most popular league, it’s still worth keeping an eye on the talented players who take the court. Who knows, maybe one day the league will finally get the recognition it deserves.

Stay tuned for more updates on the WNBA and other sports news.