Steph Curry remembers Brittney Griner in front of packed crowd ahead of opening night fixture against LA Lakers

While Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors opened their season basking in glory, WNBA player Brittney Griner remains stuck in Russia. The Phoenix Mercury player has been sentenced to nine years in prison by a Russian court for carrying drugs.

The reigning NBA Finals MVP refused to let his team’s euphoria cloud Griner’s horrific situation with a message that was heard around the world:

“I want to continue to use our platform and the opportunity to shout out a very special member of the basketball community. Brittney Griner’s birthday was yesterday, she’s 32 years old.

"We want to continue to let her name be known. It’s been 243 days since she’s been wrongfully incarcerated in Russia and we hope that she comes home soon and everybody’s doing their part to get her home.”

Brittney Griner was first detained in Russia in February for allegedly possessing cannabis oil in her vapes when she arrived in Moscow. She was there to play for UMMC Ekaterinburg, a Russian pro team that is based in Yekaterinburg.

Women basketball stars from the US often travel to Europe to augment their income during the WNBA offseason. The team she plays for is a mainstay of the Russian Premier League and women’s EuroLeague.

While Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors were battling for playoff seedings, Griner was arrested and charged with smuggling drugs.

Brittney Griner’s situation was made even worse when Russia invaded Ukraine. The war further lessened the former Baylor Lady Bear’s contact with her family and friends from the US.

A day before Steph Curry led the Warriors to their fourth title in eight years, Brittney Griner’s detainment was extended and a trial date was set. On July 7, the second day of the trial, Griner pleaded guilty. The Phoenix Mercury held an emotional rally on their home court, which started the “Bring BG Home” movement.

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Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors want to make a statement in their season opener against the LA Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers v Golden State Warriors

After Steph Curry’s heartfelt message regarding Brittney Griner’s situation, the Golden State Warriors want to make a statement for the entire NBA. Last season, they were doubted from the get-go by critics and that hasn’t changed when they opened their championship defense.

The recent Draymond Green and Jordan Poole dust-up has only heightened many basketball fans’ belief that the Warriors will not be repeating this season. Curry, Green and Thompson, however, had something to say about that.

After a tight first 24 minutes where they led by only seven points, the Golden Warriors started to pour it on. With a little over two minutes left in the third quarter, the Bay Area team limited the LA Lakers to only 12 points while scoring 30 of their own.

As they did almost all of last season, Steph Curry and the Warriors are turning the third quarter into their fun time. So far, “Chef Curry” is leading all scorers with 24 points, although he’s only 2-9 from beyond the arc.

Tonight, Steph Curry called everyone's attention to Brittney Griner and reminded the league that the road to the championship will pass through Golden State.