Griner on WNBA return: 'Part of the process of healing is just kind of letting it out'

Houston native and Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner may have spent a year away from the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), but her performance on Sunday in front of her home crowd showed she hasn’t lost a step. 

The 32-year-old Griner, who was previously imprisoned in Russia for drug possession for much of last year, racked up 27 points and 10 rebounds in 31 minutes of action in the Mercury’s 75-69 loss to the Chicago Sky, essentially signaling her return to the game.

Phoenix’s second straight loss to open Griner’s comeback season notwithstanding, the former WNBA top pick believes all is right in her world again. 

“It was emotional in the back, just hearing, seeing some of the clips and then coming out,” she said, according to Bleacher Report (B/R). “But, no, it was really good … Part of the process of healing is just kind of letting it out.” 

B/R reported that Griner’s parents attended the game, the first time they saw their daughter play since she attended high school at Nimitz.

United Press International (UPI) reported that there was a moment in the matchup in which the six-time WNBA All-Star knocked down a 3-pointer and yelled, “I’m back!” 

According to UPI, Griner is working her way back into things. 

"I'm just getting back into it, practicing every day and going hard," she said in the report. "My teammates support me and that means a lot."

While passing through a Moscow airport early last year, Griner was detained after security discovered hashish oil in her luggage. 

Russia and Ukraine were about to go to war at the time, which complicated things for the U.S. government. 

Houston Daily reported that the U.S. secured Griner’s freedom in a prisoner swap for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout shortly before the Christmas holiday.

Prior to the start of the current season, the Mercury inked her to a one-year deal.