LA Sparks defeat Griner, Mercury 94-71 in WNBA season opener
Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) fouls Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike (30) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, May 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Ashley Landis]
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nneka Ogwumike scored 17 points, rookie Zia Cooke added 14 and the Los Angeles Sparks defeated Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury 94-71 in the team’s season opener. Griner led the Mercury with 18 points in her first regular-season game since being jailed in Russia last year. She was released in December as part of a high-profile prisoner swap. Vice President Kamala Harris visited both teams in their locker rooms before the game.
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Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) applauds on the court before a WNBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Sparks in Los Angeles, Friday, May 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Ashley Landis
Los Angeles Sparks Karlie Samuelson (44) celebrates after a point during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury in Los Angeles, Friday, May 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Ashley Landis