Brittney Griner Scores 17 Points To Lead Atlanta Dream To Victory Over Phoenix Mercury

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Brittney Griner made a notable return to Phoenix, but this time as part of the Atlanta Dream. She contributed 17 points and led her team with eight rebounds in their 90-79 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday. This marked her first game back in Phoenix since joining Atlanta as a free agent. Before the match, the Mercury honoured Griner with a video tribute.

Griner, who played her initial 11 WNBA seasons with the Mercury and was pivotal in their 2014 championship win, scored Atlanta's first points within the opening minute. She also secured the Dream's last field goal with a layup at 1:40 left, extending their lead by nine points.

Allisha Gray stood out with a game-high of 28 points, adding seven rebounds and six assists. Jordin Canada contributed 14 points while Shatori Walker-Kimbrough added 11. Their efforts helped Atlanta (14-10) recover from Tuesday's defeat against the Las Vegas Aces.

Phoenix Mercury welcomed back Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper into their starting lineup after injuries had sidelined them since July 3. Despite their return, Phoenix (15-8) struggled offensively, shooting only 38.8 per cent and being outscored 42-24 in the paint.

DeWanna Bonner led the Mercury with an impressive 18 points. Satou Sabally added another 13 points while Kahleah Copper scored ten. However, these efforts were not enough to secure a win for Phoenix against a strong Atlanta side.

The game marked an emotional return for Griner to Phoenix, where she had spent much of her career. Her performance was instrumental in securing Atlanta's victory and highlighted her continued impact on the court.