Griner scored 18 points on 6-10 shooting, grabbed six boards, and had a block, assist, and a steal as the Phoenix Mercury defeated Team Japan, 87-64.
In addition, DeWanna Bonner, Candice Dupree, and Krystal Thomas also scored in double figures for Phoenix. Diana Tauarsi scored 7 points on 2-6 shooting. For Japan, three players scored in double figures.
Though this is a tuneup match, in the box scores, the 2nd quarter was a very low scoring affair with Japan scoring 11 and the Mercury scoring 8. There were two stretches when neither team could score for nearly two minutes if not a little longer...
Next Monday, the Mercury will host its home opener vs. the Chicago Sky in a matchup between the aforementioned Griner and the Sky's Elena Delle Donne, who is the 2nd pick of the 2013 Draft.
I'm actually pretty excited that the season is FINALLY starting this weekend. Hope you all are too.