UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Phoenix Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard and her coaching staff stood confused at an empty Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday.
Mercury was scheduled to play the Connecticut Sun at 7:00 p.m. Mercury’s players were supposed to be on the court with the usual pre-match shootout, but no one showed up.
Instead, Mercury players are back in the locker room, glued to TV screens to watch teammate Britney Griner’s conviction and drug smuggling and possession charges in a Russian court thousands of miles away. “It was like a bomb waiting to go off,” said Mercury security guard Diamond DeShields.
They watched with tearful eyes as Griner fought through his own tears and pleaded with the Russian courts “not to end his life” for “an honest mistake.” Griner was sentenced to nine years in a Russian penal colony and fined one million rubles or about $16,000. While this ruling opened the door for Griner to be returned to the United States through his prisoner exchange, the news was still heartbreaking to hear for players.
“And we’re still going to play this game,” Mercury guard Skyler Diggins-Smith said after the game, adding swearing. “Nobody wants to play today.” How are we supposed to approach the game and approach the court with a clear mind when the whole group is crying before the game?”
Nygaard said the team eventually experienced a “version” of the shootaround, but nothing about the day or the game felt normal. was. The lights dimmed and the players, coaches and referees united and folded their arms for 42 seconds. Matching the number on Griner’s jersey, fans shouted “We are BG” and “Take her home to her.”
“I once crossed the referee’s arm, so I don’t think I’ll ever see him again,” Nygaard said with a smile.
Griner, who has been detained in Russia since February 17, said hash oil was accidentally stuffed into an e-cigarette pen during his trial on drug charges. WNBA players and other professional athletes have campaigned hard for her freedom. In May, the U.S. State Department said it had determined Griner was “unlawfully detained” and its officials would work to free her. said to be of high quality. The White House recently said she made a “substantial” proposal.
Meanwhile, Greiner’s teammates and fans have continued to campaign to show their support.
As fans filled the arena on Thursday night, they were greeted by Connecticut Sun dancers and arena staff in “We are BG” T-shirts. Her No. 42 Mercury in Griner’s purple and orange her jersey filled the stands, along with a variety of garments bearing her message of freedom. Mercury players wore “We are BG” shirts during pregame warmups, as did the Connecticut coaching staff and several Sun players. Injured Sun points to her guard, Jasmine Her Thomas, wearing a hooded sweatshirt with a picture of Griner on the front and her jersey number 42 on the back.
Sharon White, a Sun fan and season ticket holder since 2002, was among those wearing the Mercury colors. She wore a purple T-shirt featuring Greiner’s name and number, which she said she wore in every game, regardless of the opponent.
“When I get home, I wash the shirt and put it back on, even if they’re not playing,” White said, adding that friends often tease her for how many shirts she wears. White said he cried while watching Griner’s verdict on Thursday.
“It’s really hard. I love her as a player. It’s just a sad situation,” White said, wiping away tears. She added: When she returns to her home, she doesn’t have to go back. I don’t think any of our players should go there. ”
Many WNBA players travel abroad during the off-season to play for international teams to supplement their income. Griner was shown holding a photo of her UMMC her Yekaterinburg team picture from behind bars on Thursday.
Also in the photo was Sun forward Jonkel Jones, who won the WNBA Most Valuable Player award last season. Jones, like Griner, has played for the Russian team for several years.
Jones said he never expected something like Griner’s detention to happen. After Griner’s arrest, Jones learned that even cannabidiol oil, which he always carries with him to help him recover from pain and injuries, is illegal in Russia, he said.
“My experience there was very good,” said Jones. “Our team was top notch. They treated us like professionals. That’s why we loved going there. So we always felt safe.” I never felt like anything was going to happen, so when I saw it happen to one of my teammates, I got so close to it and realized it could have been me. The thing is, we’re keeping that in mind.”
Jones said it was hard to get excited about Thursday’s game. Her moments of solidarity made her even more emotional.
It was like, ‘Dan, we did it, and now I gotta play basketball. A friend of mine is still trapped abroad,” Jones said. , don’t take the moment for granted.”
Mercury lost 77-64 and the game was out of reach as the Sun lost 18-0 in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Diggins was the game’s top scorer with his 16 points and Jones finished with his 14 points.
“We wake up tomorrow and BG is still in a Russian prison,” said Nygaard. I hope to come back to
