The Connecticut Sun and Phoenix Mercury stood together in a moment of solidarity prior to their game Thursday to honor WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison earlier that day.
Both teams met at center court, standing amongst each other while sharing a 42-second moment of silence with all in attendance at Mohegan Sun Arena, per ESPN. The 42 seconds were in honor of Griner's jersey number, which she's sported for nine seasons since being drafted by the Mercury in 2013.
The seven-time WNBA All-Star has been held in Russia since her initial arrest back on Feb. 17 due to charges of drug possession and smuggling at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport.
United States President Joe Biden responded to news of the sentencing on Thursday, condemning Russia for what he described as an "unacceptable" detainment of the 31-year-old.
