By Cassandra Cousineau and Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
The U.S. State Department is on the Brittney Griner case.
So, don’t expect Griner’s name to be heard over the PA system at the Las Vegas Aces-Phoenix Mercury WNBA game at Mandalay Bay in Vegas Tuesday night.
But Griner is on everyone’s minds. At 6’9” she’s hard to miss. Tonight she was.
As of May 3, the U.S State Department said Griner was “considered wrongfully detained.” They have shifted from a monitoring role of her case to a State Department Section referred to as the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs. It’s focused on negotiating for the release of hostages and Americans classified as being wrongfully detained by other countries.
“The U.S. government will continue to undertake efforts to provide appropriate support to Ms. Griner.”
The Mercury center, one of the world’s premier women’s basketball players, is being imprisoned in Russia after being arrested in February. Russia detained Griner after authorities said she had cannabis oil in her luggage following the player’s basketball season in Russia. She could face 10 years in prison. A court has extended her pretrial detention to June.
The WNBA said the “BG42” decal will be on the arena courts this season.
ESPN also just reported that, “NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday that he is working side by side with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert to try to bring Brittney Griner home.”
Griner is on the U.S. State Department agenda. Multiple media reports said Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been talking with Griner’s wife about the detention and arrest situation.
Without Griner, the Mercury lost, 106-88, to the Aces May 6 in Las Vegas’ season-opener in Phoenix. Tonight’s game was televised on CBSSN, with another Phoenix vs Las Vegas showdown set for Michelob Ultra Arena in only five days on Saturday when ABC will broadcast the game.
Due to the 2020 collective bargaining agreement, changes are coming to the WNBA starting in 2023. One word got the ball rolling for team owners — prioritization.
In an attempt to force players to “prioritize” the WNBA there will now be consequences for missing the designated start of training camp or May 1, whichever is later.
Consequences include, fining players beyond their third year in the league. If they miss the start of the regular season, they will be suspended for the duration.
Mandatory arrival kicks in starting 2024 and the penalty gets stiffer. If players aren’t there by the start of training camp, at that point they will be suspended for the season.
Prioritization was a pronounced sticking point for players. They were granted some exceptions, such as for players’ obligations to their national teams. Also, college graduation and other significant events would be considered exceptions.
The other exception is experience. Players can compete overseas and not be fined or suspended for a late arrival to camp after their rookie and second years in the WNBA.
Even without Griner, the Mercury came out firing and led the Aces, 29-21, after the first quarter in front of a smallish crowd.
At halftime, the Aces were trailing by four points, 43-39.
But then the Aces exploded in the third quarter thanks to Jackie Young’s hot shooting. Young’s three-point shooting was outstanding and she also made some terrific moves to the basket.
Las Vegas poured in 30 points in the third quarter and enjoyed a 69-55 lead heading into the final quarter. The Aces’ 30-12 advantage in the third quarter was the game’s deciding factor.
The Aces extended the lead to 78-60 with 5:46 left in the fourth quarter as Las Vegas’ unrelenting up-tempo style of play took its toll on Phoenix.
The Aces wrapped up the win, 86-74, behind Kelsey Plum’s 20 points and Young’s 19. A’ja Wilson chipped in with 16, while Chelsea Gray added 14 and Dearica Hamby scored 13.
Phoenix’s Diana Taurasi, the Mercury sharpshooter, was limited to eight points and had a plus/minus of -16 for the game.
The Aces are 4-1 and host Minnesota Thursday.
PSA