PHOENIX — Phoenix Mercury fans, famously known as the X-Factor, were lined up outside PHX Arena hours before Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner was set to jump ball against her former team. This game marked the first time Griner stepped onto the court in downtown Phoenix as a visitor to face the team that drafted her No.1 overall in 2013.

“A lot of emotions walking in. Just good to be back, good to be back in front of all the fans here, all the X-Factor,” Griner said. “Spent my whole career here–or most of my career–and, yeah, it just feels good being back here right now.”

Griner won a championship, became an Olympian, launched philanthropic efforts in the community, and became a geopolitical pawn during her 11 seasons in Phoenix. She will forever be tied to Mercury legend Diana T

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