"How was it not a sellout?" - Phoenix Mercury head coach surprised there weren't more fans to greet Brittney Griner

Phoenix Mercury head coach Vanessa Nygaard was confused why Crypto.com Arena was not sold out to watch Brittney Griner's first game back since her release. Griner missed all of last season after getting detained in Russia due to drug charges.

In her postgame interview following the Mercury's 94-71 loss on Friday, Nygaard was critical of LA Sparks fans and people in Los Angeles for not supporting Griner. There were 10,396 fans in attendance during the season opener, but that's just 54.5% of Crypto.com Arena's 19,068 seating capacity.

"I mean, it was great," Nygaard said. "But like honestly, come on now LA. We didn't sell out the arena for BG? Like, I expected more, you know, to be honest. Right, it was great; it was loud. But how was it not a sellout? How was it not a sellout?"

Brittney Griner was in Russian custody for about ten months before she was released in December via a prisoner swap. The United States government had to give up notorious Russian arms dealer Viktour Bout for Griner. It was criticized by many, as former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan was not part of the deal.

Griner was found guilty of drug charges and was sentenced to nine years in prison. She was sent to a Russian penal colony in the town of Yavas in the region of Mordovia, where her head was shaved.

After her release, Griner was a free agent and re-signed with the Phoenix Mercury. She played for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia during the WNBA offseason due to the higher salary.

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Brittney Griner putting up crazy numbers in first two games of WNBA season

Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury

Brittney Griner has started her tenth WNBA season on fire, averaging 22.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 4.0 blocks in the first two games. Griner is on pace to have the best season of her career.

However, the Phoenix Mercury are 0-2 to start the season. They lost their season opener at tge Crypto.com Arena 94-71, while it was a closer game on Sunday, 75-69 against the Chicago Sky at home inside the Footprint Center.

Griner is an eight-time WNBA All-Star and was part of the 25th Anniversary Team. She's a one-time WNBA champion, two-time scoring champion and has led the league in blocks eight times.

The 32-year-old is also a two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and a four-time EuroLeague champion with UMMC Ekaterinburg. For the national team, she's a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a two-time FIBA World Cup winner.