LeBron James glad about Brittney Griner's release: "Happy to have her back home on U.S. soil"

LeBron James is happy about Brittney Griner’s release from a Russian penal colony. James reacted to the news on Sunday following the LA Lakers' win over the Detroit Pistons. Griner’s freedom was secured by the United States government via a prisoner swap with Russia for arms dealer Viktor Bout.

In a postgame news conference, James was asked about the news of the WNBA star’s release after more than 10 months in Russian custody. "The King" was really glad that Griner would be able to spend the holidays with her family.

"It's amazing," James said. "Especially around the holidays, she can be with her family and get back. For us, as a brotherhood and sisterhood, we welcome her with open arms and love and support and are just happy to have her back home on U.S. soil."

LeBron James shared the same sentiment last Thursday on "The Shop" when the news of Brittney Griner’s release broke. James praised U.S. president Joe Biden and vice president Kamala Harris for doing everything they can for Griner.

"I think it's a great day," James said. "For us as Americans, I think having BG back, in the sports world, just having her family's back, I know her wife misses her and her family misses her, her club misses her here in Phoenix. To have her a part of the basketball brother and sisterhood, it's a big day for us and what we do.

"Kudos to the president, kudos to Kamala Harris and everyone that had something to do with it. Like Mav (Carter) said, there's a lot of people that's unlawfully detained right now. We hope we can get them all."

James was likely alluding to former U.S. marine Paul Whelan, who remains in Russian custody. Whelan has been wrongfully detained in Russia since 2018. Some were furious that the U.S. government was able to secure Griner’s release over Whelan's.

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Anthony Davis shares same sentiment as LeBron James on Brittney Griner

LeBron James and Anthony Davis of the LA Lakers

Like LeBron James, Anthony Davis was very happy that Brittney Griner is back home in the United States. Davis called it amazing due to how Griner was treated in Russia for the last 10 months. He added that he failed to recognize the Phoenix Mercury star, who cut her dreadlocks while in prison.

"Amazing," Davis said. "Being in Russia for as long as she was, inhumane living conditions. I think they showed the bed she was living in. When I first saw her, I didn't know it was her because she cut her dreads. I don't know if it was voluntarily or what. But it's always good to have one of your own back."

James and Davis were in a better mood, not just because of Griner’s release, but also due to beating the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. “The King” had 35 points, five rebounds and five assists in the LA Lakers' 124-117 victory. Davis put up 34 points, 15 boards and seven dimes, while Lonnie Walker IV added 18 points.