Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner is moving forward after suffering a severe foot injury. Griner is out of a walking boot and participating in some activities with the team, per Desert Wave Media.
Griner was seen on Saturday, on the basketball court with her Mercury teammates during a practice. The center had previously fractured a toe on her left foot and had been in a walking boot. At Saturday's practice, she was no longer in a boot and was walking under her own power. It is seen as a positive sign for Griner, although she did seem to be almost limping.
The Mercury are hoping this is a sign of good things to come, as their center has already been out of the lineup this season due to the toe fracture. Griner missed the team's opener against the Las Vegas Aces, and hasn't played yet during the WNBA season.
Mercury rising
The Mercury are looking for a comeback this season, after having a disappointing year last year. Phoenix finished the 2023 season with a dismal 9-31 record. Griner was adjusting to being back in the U.S. after her ordeal in Russia, where she was incarcerated for an extended period of time. During the 2023 season, Griner was able to post a 17.5 points per game scoring average. She led the team in scoring, and was also co-leader on the club in rebounding.
Phoenix had high hopes for this season, with the ball going through Griner again most of the time on offense. Without her, the team is doing surprisingly well. The Mercury are 3-1 on the young WNBA season. Kahleah Copper is averaging nearly 29 points a game for the team. Diana Taurasi is also having a great year, with a 16.8 points per game scoring average. The core of talent seems there for Phoenix, and there's hope that the club will be even better when Griner is added back in the mix. The Mercury are looking to return to the postseason after the disastrous 2023 season.
Griner's career
The Mercury's center has established herself as one of the best players in the WNBA. She entered the league in the 2013 season as a no. 1 overall draft pick. She has played her entire WNBA career in the desert, with the Mercury. In her career, she's averaging 17.7 points per game. Griner is also hauling 7.5 rebounds per contest.
The center won a WNBA championship with Phoenix in 2014. She has multiple honors, having been named to the WNBA All-Star team 9 times in her career. She led the league in blocks eight times, and was twice named the WNBA scoring champion. Before her time in the professional basketball, Griner won a national championship in college playing with Baylor women's basketball, for coach Kim Mulkey.
The Mercury will have to play again without their star center on Saturday, against the Dallas Wings. The game is scheduled for 10:00 Eastern. Dallas is 1-2 on the season.
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