Brittney Griner's return to WNBA court The basketball star played in her first official game in 579 days after spending 10 months in a Russian Prison. May 20, 2023 Brittney Griner made her long-awaited return to the basketball court Friday night after her 10-month detainment in Russia last year, but it didn't have the ending her fans were hoping for. Brittney Griner returns to Baylor for her jersey retirement ceremony . Brittney Griner's No. 42 jersey was retired by Baylor during her first return to a Bears home game in 11 years. Griner, a two-time AP national player of the year and career blocks leader, impressed fans with an impromptu slam dunk. The basketball star played in her first official game in 579 days after spending 10 months in a Russian Prison.SUBSCRIBE: SIGN UP to g Brittney Griner returned to the basketball court this weekend. After being imprisoned in Russia for nearly a year, sentenced to nine years on drug charges, Griner decided to return to the Brittney Griner's return to WNBA action was the most-watched regular season WNBA game on cable TV in a staggering 24 years, as her Phoenix Mercury were comfortably beat by the LA Sparks in a game The post has since gone absolutely viral on Instagram, receiving over 25,000 "likes" on the social media platform and over 500 fans commenting their congratulations to Cherelle Griner. It's Skip to Navigation; Skip to Main Content; Skip to Related Content; News Griner said she was more rusty on the court than expected. But given the trials and emotions of the past 18 months, it was a pretty good night. "Not where I want it to be, but on the right track Brittney Griner was met with a warm welcome from fans and fellow players in Los Angeles when she returned to the court on Friday. What she couldn't see, was the historic audience that tuned into