![]() The strength she has to do that is something that I definitely admire. “It’s like she was gone for 10 months, but she still acts and carries herself the same way. “It’s really inspiring to see what she’s doing and the way that she carries herself,” team captain Stewart said. “My stats definitely are going to be better this year than last year,” Griner said laughing. This year, she’s an actual starter after averaging 19.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots for Phoenix. She also was made an honorary starter at last year’s All-Star Game. ![]() The WNBA kept Griner top of mind while she was being held in Russia, putting her initials and jersey No. 42 on each court. 17, 2022, on drug charges at an airport near Moscow. Griner spent nearly 300 days in Russian custody after being arrested on Feb. A lot of long, hard hours in the gym and in the weight room to get back into it.” “I was a little shocked, actually, how it was once I got on the court, so I’m happy with it. “I just wanted to get out there and try my best not to get hurt, give it the best I’ve got,” Griner said. ![]() Griner surprised herself, playing well enough to become a starter in Saturday’s All-Star Game. So I think it’s a great opportunity to convert even more women’s basketball fans.” GRINER SURPRISED HERSELF WITH ALL-STAR SPOTīrittney Griner didn’t know what to expect when the WNBA season began, how she would respond after the trauma she experienced of being incarcerated in Russia, which forced her off the court for many months. “They’ve always done a really great job in the past, and having summer league, there are extra people there who are interested in basketball. “It’s great having it in Vegas,” said Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, who will play in her third All-Star Game. It’s not a secret.”įor now, at least, the world’s best women’s players will call Las Vegas home for a couple of days, going through All-Star Game festivities and trying to put on a show for the fans. “There’s no doubt there is (also) enormous interest in Seattle. “We will look at this market,” Silver said. Once the NBA secures its multimedia contracts within the next couple of years, Silver said the league would consider adding teams. Silver, when addressing the Associated Press Sports Editors convention in Las Vegas on Monday, didn’t tamp down speculation of the city as a potential expansion candidate. “I like to believe the tournament games being held here next year has something to do with the NBA flirting with the idea of having a team,” George said. Silver has often referred to Las Vegas as the “31st franchise” because of the presence of all 30 teams at the summer league each year.Īnd that relationship is growing with the NBA playing the final four games of its first in-season tournament in Las Vegas on Dec. “It truly is becoming a hub of sports and entertainment, and the WNBA and the Vegas Aces are driving that.” “The birth of Vegas sports outside of boxing has been amazing,” Thomas said. UNLV won the 1990 national championship and appeared in three other Final Fours, making Runnin’ Rebels games must-see events even in this entertainment-driven city. Team Wilson is captained by Aces star and two-time MVP A’ja Wilson, and she will be joined by three of her Las Vegas teammates when they take on Team Stewart, led by 2018 MVP Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty.Īces coach Becky Hammon, who will lead Team Wilson, noted that Las Vegas has a history as a basketball city. The 3-point shooting contest and skills competitions were held Friday, and the game Saturday has been declared a sellout. That’s a lot of basketball momentum ahead of the All-Star Game at Michelob Ultra Arena. Just in the past week, 19-year-old phenom Victor Wembanyama made his NBA summer league debut to sold-out crowds at the nearby Thomas & Mack Center, NBA commissioner Adam Silver spoke openly about Las Vegas as a potential expansion candidate, and the Aces (19-2) continued to roll through opponents as they seek a second straight WNBA title. LAS VEGAS - The timing and location of the WNBA All-Star Game couldn’t be much better.
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