Celtics join in Griner chorus
SAN FRANCISCO — Brittney Griner hasn’t been forgotten at the NBA Finals.
The WNBA star has been detained in Russia for more than 100 days — wrongfully so, U.S. officials insist — and some members of the Celtics are using their platform at the NBA’s title series to add their voices to the chorus of those demanding she be allowed to come home.
Several players wore black T-shirts with “We Are BG” on the front in orange letters for their practice session at the NBA Finals on Saturday.
Game 2 of the title series between the Celtics and Warriors was Sunday night but ended too late for this edition.
“It’s extremely tough seeing what she’s going through,” All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum of the Celtics said. “I know everybody sees and feels that, and we’re all together in support trying to bring her back to her family and things like that. Yeah, wearing those shirts today in support of her.”
The shirts also had a QR code on the back, linking to an online petition seeking 300,000 signatures in support of the notion of bringing Griner home.
“We felt like it was a good idea to use our availability and our platforms to bring attention to certain matters,” said Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, an officer within the National Basketball Players Association. “I always stand for that. Being an athlete, we’re not just up here just to entertain you guys. We also have a voice. I always appreciate and applaud athletes, entertainers, my teammates who plan to
do something with that. I’m not sure if we’ll wear it for the rest of the time, but today was a good day to bring attention to a topic that was necessary.”
Griner, who plays for the Mercury, has been detained since February after vape cartridges containing oil derived from cannabis were allegedly found in her luggage at an airport in Moscow.
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist for the U.S., faces drug smuggling charges that carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
“It’s been now over 100 days since she’s been illegally held in Russia,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “I think it’s something that all of us should be heard on, contacting your representatives and others. I will only say we are working in lockstep with the U.S. government and outside experts on trying to expedite her release in any way we can. Certainly our hearts go out to her and her family, and we are just as eager for her safe return.”
Russian officials have described Griner’s case as a criminal offense without making any political associations. But Moscow’s war in Ukraine has brought U.S.-Russia relations to the lowest level since the Cold War.
Celtics guard Grant Williams helped coordinate Saturday’s effort, working with the NBPA and the WNBA’s player association.
He said it’s important NBA players show “that love and support” for Griner.
“We just wanted to do that as a team,” Williams said. “It was one of those things where no one questioned it. Everyone said, ‘Let’s do it.’ ”