Members of the Phoenix Mercury and Connecticut Solar stood arm-in-arm in a circle at halfcourt earlier than Thursday night time’s WNBA sport at Mohegan Solar Area to watch “a 42-second second of solidarity” for Mercury middle Brittney Griner.

A Russian courtroom sentenced Griner to 9 years in jail earlier Thursday after she was discovered responsible of drug trafficking. She was arrested Feb. 17 for bringing hashish into the nation, the place she has lengthy competed throughout the WNBA’s low season.

Many gamers on each groups wiped away tears throughout the emotional pregame ceremony, which referred to as for the discharge of Griner and different Individuals being detained in Russia.

Because the gamers locked arms at halfcourt, the Solar’s public deal with announcer stated the groups hoped “to acknowledge the gravity of the second and collectively ship [Griner] power.”

“We’re impressed on a regular basis by BG’s power, and we’re steadfastly dedicated to protecting her high of thoughts publicly till she is safely again on American soil,” the PA announcer stated. “We invite all of you right here tonight to face and hyperlink arms in solidarity with us. Bringing Brittney and all different detainees house is the only real goal. We’re and can stay centered and unified in bringing them dwelling safely.”

Griner is lacking her first WNBA season this 12 months since being drafted by Phoenix with the No. 1 choose in 2013.

The Mercury, who have been with out guard Diana Taurasi (quad damage) Thursday, misplaced 77-64. Afterward, Phoenix guard Skylar Diggins-Smith stated the ambiance across the sport was heavy.

“It isn’t something we’re politicizing,” Diggins-Smith stated after the sport. “It is a human being and our real-life pal and real-life sister. I do not anticipate everyone to offer a rattling. However we actually do.

“And we come out right here and we’re nonetheless imagined to play this f—ing sport. No person needed to even play at this time. How are you imagined to method the sport with a transparent thoughts, and the entire group is crying earlier than the sport? Since you attempt to honor her and also you attempt to come out and nonetheless play laborious for her.”

On Thursday morning, Mercury gamers have been preparing for his or her shootaround in Uncasville, Connecticut, when Griner’s verdict was introduced. They have been watching on their cellphones, Phoenix coach Vanessa Nygaard stated.

“None of our robust days are as robust as any of the BG’s days, proper?” Nygaard stated earlier than the sport. “So we all the time hold that in thoughts, and we have carried this with us for the season day-after-day. However at this time is basically, actually robust.

“We had the gamers within the locker room watching the decision as we have been making ready to do our shootaround. After which simply to go on the market and do basketball … basketball simply does not look like the factor at this time. It simply does not appear super-important. After all, we’re ready. The gamers are very skilled, got here out did what they wanted to do, and we ready for the sport.

“However going again and listening to her phrases at this time, seeing how she’s handled in Russia, listening to her apologies … it is simply heartbreaking.”

Thursday’s verdict was anticipated, and the Mercury have been ready for it. Nonetheless, seeing Griner locked in a courtroom cell listening to the decision deeply upset the Mercury and different gamers throughout the WNBA.

“I used to be actually amazed by her braveness and her power as I used to be listening to it at this time,” Nygaard stated. “I could not think about being in that scenario, and she or he was so brave. She confirmed nice power and nice humility.”

It’s anticipated Griner’s finest probability at a faster return to america is that if a prisoner trade is negotiated with Russia.

“We weren’t hanging our hopes on the Russian justice system,” Nygaard stated. “We all know that the Biden administration and all of our authorities officers are going to work laborious to deliver her dwelling and that is the trail she’s going to come back dwelling.

“And so we’re assured that — although it is laborious to listen to this information at this time and we all know she’s wrongfully imprisoned; she’s been declared that by our authorities — we all know she can be returning dwelling with their laborious work.”

Nygaard, a former WNBA participant in her first season as Phoenix’s coach, stated different detained Individuals are a serious concern, too, for the Mercury.

“I feel we have seen super response by the Biden administration and simply even the provide of the commerce already that is occurred, there’s been a lot groundswell of assist for BG,” Nygaard stated. “It is an uncommon scenario for certain. What I do know is that our authorities has actually put themselves behind BG and are working actually laborious to deliver her and all different Individuals [home].

“We’re studying much more about wrongly detained Individuals than we ever have from this example. And I do know there are lots of different households experiencing this sense, too, however we’re hopeful that quickly this can be resolved.”