The Golden State Warriors opened their 2022-23 campaign on October 18 against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Warriors’ opening night was made much more noteworthy as they received their championship rings for taking home the NBA title last season ahead of the game. As the players donned their breathtaking rings, Stephen Curry made certain that the night was not only about his team. In fact, he took the opportunity to address another important issue.

Addressing the Dub Nation prior to their season opener, Curry asked for the release of WNBA superstar Brittney Griner. He remarked that he wanted to make the most of this opportunity to recognize an important member of the basketball community.

“Brittney Griner’s birthday is today, she’s 32 years old. We want to continue to let her name be known, it’s?been 243 days since she’s beeen wrongfully incarcerated in Russia, and we hope that she comes home soon and everybody is doing their part to get her home,” Curry said.

Kyrie Irving voices support for WNBA star Brittney Griner

Interestingly, Curry wasn’t the only NBA star who directed everyone’s attention to Griner before their teams’ season opening games. Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving also addressed the crowd before his team’s opening ballgame against the New Orleans Pelicans. He remarked that the big picture going on in the world is Griner’s situation, demanding that she be brought back home.

He even pleaded with US President Joe Biden, asking him to “do your job” to bring the WNBA star back to home soil. “Free our sister Brittney Griner, please. Please, POTUS, do your job. Everybody do your job, please bring our sister home,” Irving said.

Brittney Griner was embroiled in trouble in mid-February. Russian authorities detained her at an airport after discovering cannabis-infused vape cartridges in her luggage. The Phoenix Mercury star was sentenced to nine years in prison by a Russian court in August, after pleading guilty to drug charges. Griner also plays for the UMMC Ekaterinberg during the WNBA off-season which is why she was travelling to Russia.

NBA fans reacts to Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving voicing their support for Griner’s release

Numerous NBA and WNBA players, as well as athletes from other sports, have come out in support of Brittney Griner’s release. They have made it a point to use their platform to implore the US administration to do everything necessary to bring her back home.

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As Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving voiced their support for Griner’s release, they made sure to use their massive platforms. While supporters were thrilled to see their favorite players in action once again, their attention was diverted to Griner’s serious situation.

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Seeing Curry and Irving voice their stance on the situation, the fans flooded social media with mixed reactions:

“good luck convincing Putin”

“Just do Your job play basketball”

“I?d love for them to let her go? but these dudes can?t be that ignorant. It?s not like Russia is some weak 3rd world country that we can boss around. It?s not up to ?our government? whether she gets freed or not, it?s up to Russia, and it?s not looking good.”

“If they wanna be taken seriously, they should start acknowledging ALL THE OTHERS”

“She committed a crime in a foreign country, and is being punished for it.”

“No…she went to another country and broke their laws so she is getting what she deserves.”

“Putin is sitting there like, well since several NBA players are calling for her release we better let her go… no one ever”

What is your take on NBA stars voicing their support for Brittney Griner? Let us know what you think in the comments below.