When the Mercury take the floor for their 2023 WNBA preseason opener on Monday, all eyes will be on the potential return of star center Brittney Griner.
Griner will potentially take the court for the first time since being wrongfully detained for nearly 10 months in a Russian prison. The seven-time All-Star announced her plans to play in the 2023 WNBA season shortly after returning home to the United States.
While it has not yet been determined if she will play in either of the Mercury's two preseason games, her first opportunity to retake the floor comes on Monday, May 8th against the Seattle Storm.
The Sporting News has you covered on all the information you need about Griner's return and Phoenix's preseason opener below.
When is Mercury vs. Storm preseason game?
- Date: Monday, May 8
- Time: 10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT
The Mercury will open their WNBA preseason schedule on the road against the Storm at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. The exhibition game is set to tip off a 7 p.m. local time (10 p.m. ET).
What channel is Brittney Griner playing on?
- TV channel: None
- Live stream: None
The WNBA preseason game between the Mercury and Storm will not be available via cable or streaming, according to a press release from the Mercury. Live stats will be available on the WNBA website.
However, the Mercury will play their first two WNBA regular season games on ESPN.
Fans in the U.S. can watch the WNBA regular season on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF your first month! Stream Sling Orange for $20 in your first month to catch all the games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $27.50 in your first month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.
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Will Brittney Griner play in WNBA preseason opener?
The Mercury have not released an injury report for Monday's game, but Griner has been a full participant throughout preseason training camp.
Phoenix Mercury 2023 schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Friday, May 12 | vs. Sparks* | 10 p.m. | None |
| Friday, May 19 | at Sparks | 11 p.m. | ESPN/ESPN+ |
| Sunday, May 21 | vs. Sky | 4 p.m. | ESPN/ESPN+ |
| Thursday, May 25 | vs. Lynx | 10 p.m. | None |
| Friday, June 2 | vs. Sparks | 10 p.m. | ION |
*Indicates preseason game
