Brittney Griner dunks twice in emphatic WNBA All-Star return

Brittney Griner returned to the All-Star Game in emphatic fashion, which included snacks of bacon and icees on the sidelines.

Those treats appeared to work, as Griner finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks. She also threw down a dunk in the first quarter, and another in the second half.

“I called my knees and talked to them and gave them a little pep talk,” the 32-year-old said of her two dunks.

BG IS BACKKKK 🔨

Brittney Griner with the early slam on ABC! | @ATT #WNBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/2IFGgLMGPh

— WNBA (@WNBA) July 16, 2023

“The biggest thing is watch your head so you don’t get dunked on,” A’ja Wilson said of facing Griner. “That was the defensive assignment. Anytime you see BG in the paint, I think you should just move out of the way.”

It was Griner’s first All-Star Game back after being released from a Russian penal colony last December. And it was her ninth ASG overall. The crowd roared when Griner was introduced, giving her a standing ovation.

“To have that ovation and all those little memories that I can cherish now, it means the world,” Griner said. “So it was no question I was going to come and play. They have never wavered in their support.”

“I just love being here, I love competing, I love just doing everything for the fans. They do everything for us. We wouldn’t be here without them. I’m just honored to be on this court.”