PHOENIX- Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner returned to PHX Arena after spending 11 years with the Phoenix Mercury during an emotion-filled Wednesday.
Griner had a big impact with the Mercury over the years, both literally and figuratively, and is known for her defensive presence and scoring abilities. She is second in Phoenix’s franchise history in points scored (5,572), first in rebounds (2,322), blocks (812) and field goal percentage (56.2 percent).
Griner: Nostalgia Walking Inside Mercury’s Arena
In the offseason, Griner was informed by the Mercury’s front office the team would be going in “different directions,” as Phoenix went on to acquire Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally through sign-and-trade agreements.
“The business part is always tough,” Griner said pregame. “Especially when you’ve been somewhere so long where it feels like family and it’s hard to have those tough conversations sometimes. But it’s just all love. I’m happy for them and happy for myself as well. Everything all worked out.”
Griner mentioned she had many emotions walking inside the arena where she used to play in front of the Mercury fans, also known as the X-Factor. As Phoenix played a video tribute, fans cheered when the public announcer said Griner’s name. She then walked over to one of her ex-teammates, Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner, and hugged her.
The Phoenix Mercury played a tribute video for Brittney Griner ahead of tonight’s game. #WNBA pic.twitter.com/YPu0yOUr41
— Aya Abdeen (@ayabdeen) July 24, 2025
Griner grew up in Houston, where she played high school basketball for Nimitz High School and college basketball for Baylor. She led the Lady Bears to a National Championship in 2012 and had her jersey number retired just last year.
When it comes to being closer to her family, Griner revealed making a transition to Atlanta has been seamless, as she adjusts to a new system under first-year Dream head coach Karl Smesko.
“It is (a bit easier making a transition to Atlanta),” Griner said. “You know, my mother-in-law, my father-in-law, they’re there in the state. And then I’m closer to get to my parents as well, as much as we want everybody to stay around as long as we can. They’re getting up in age, so it’s been good to get back to them and see them.”
Griner Shares Memories with Longtime Teammate
During her tenure in Phoenix, Griner shared notable memories with Mercury legend Diana Taurasi, her longtime teammate.
Griner and Taurasi played together and for Team USA in three Olympics. They also played for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia, where the duo won the Euroleague Women’s championship in 2016.
“Dee (Diana Taurasi) means everything to me,” Griner told Ballislife. “I mean, I don’t think my career would be where it is without the you know, she’s taught me so much on how to be a better basketball player, a better person, spouse. I was with her Overseas, Olympics. She’s been there all the way through, she’s always been a mentor to me. She probably hates being called that, I’m sure, but she’s always been a mentor, best friend and sister to me.”
In her return to the Valley, Griner delivered one of her best performances with the Dream so far this season, scoring 17 points and grabbing eight rebounds in Atlanta’s win over her former team. She and her teammate, Brionna Jones, were too much for the Phoenix Mercury in terms of size and length advantages.
Taurasi and her wife, former Mercury teammate Penny Taylor, and Griner’s wife, Cherelle, and her son, Bash, were in attendance at the game on Wednesday to see Griner’s return. They also made an appearance at the ESPYs in Los Angeles, where Taurasi received the ESPY Icons Award alongside Alex Morgan last Wednesday.
After the game ended, Griner and Taurasi shared a moment together alongside Taylor and Bonner, with smiles and laughter as they reminisced about their days as Mercury teammates. They were also a part of the 2014 WNBA Championship team, where Phoenix had one of their best seasons in franchise history with 29-5 record.
Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor are at tonight’s Phoenix Mercury game. #WNBA pic.twitter.com/puezzIiykm
— Aya Abdeen (@ayabdeen) July 24, 2025
“Meant everything,” Griner said. “When I looked over, I saw Dee (Diana Taurasi) and Penny (Taylor) over there, I think that kind of ignited me a little bit. Just being back on the court that I basically started my career on and played the majority of, it just felt good. Like the crowd, seeing familiar faces, hearing old stories, signing jerseys. It was a really good feeling. I said I was going to hold my tears to the end, but they got me a little bit.”
Mercury fans will forever remember Griner’s legacy for her scoring and defensive dominance. One of Griner’s next stops one day will be in Knoxville, Tenn., when she gets inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
