There are four games scheduled to start the WNBA regular season on Friday. Fans will get their first glimpse of Aliyah Boston, the first overall pick, as well as the new superteams New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces.
Despite the league's star power, the most eagerly awaited matchup will feature two clubs competing in the final game of the day
. At Crypto.com Arena, the Los Angeles Sparks will begin the season by playing host to the Phoenix Mercury.
Brittney Griner will make her official WNBA comeback in this game, which will be her first in 578 days.
A narcotics charge involving vape cartridges in Griner's luggage led to her detention and subsequent 10 month imprisonment in Russia.
After spending so much time away from the game, Griner was an MVP-caliber player in her last WNBA season. She is still striving to reach that level.
In the team's preseason games, she displayed flashes of her previous self by effortlessly scoring near the rim and supporting the defense.
The WNBA season's rigors and everything that goes along with them will probably be Griner's biggest challenge this year.
She should succeed if her tenacity throughout her time in Russia is any clue.