Suns superstar Kevin Durant is settling into his new surroundings in Phoenix following his trade from the Nets, and he linked up with another basketball star in the area ahead of his debut for his new team.
On Wednesday, a heartwarming video surfaced of Durant exchanging a hug with Mercury star Brittney Griner while she was getting some practice in ahead of the 2023 WNBA season.
Two of Phoenix's biggest basketball stars greeted each other and shared the court for a quick exchange in a moment that will put a smile on the faces of fans in the area, courtesy of the Mercury’s official Twitter account.
Griner returned back to the United States in December after being detained for nearly 10 months in Russia after her arrest in February of 2022.
The WNBA star was arrested at an airport near Moscow after authorities allegedly discovered cannabis vape cartridges in her luggage. She was imprisoned overseas until she eventually returned home as part of a prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia.
Since returning home and re-acclimating to her surroundings, the 32-year-old reportedly signed a one-year, $165,000 deal with the Mercury. It will be her 10th season with the team, having been one of the faces of the franchise since she was drafted with the first pick in 2013. Griner is a seven-time All-Star and one-time WNBA champion.
As for Durant, the blockbuster trade that sent him to Phoenix makes the Suns legitimate NBA Finals contenders. He scored 23 points in his debut, in what was also his return to action after an injury that had kept him sidelined since early January.
