Brittney Griner won’t journey with the Phoenix Mercury for his or her subsequent two video games to deal with her psychological well being, the group stated Saturday.
The All-Star heart returned to the WNBA this yr after her launch from a Russian jail. She was arrested and jailed over a drug cost in Russia that resulted within the U.S. conducting a prisoner swap for her. Convicted arms vendor Viktor Bout was despatched again to Russia as a part of the deal.
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Phoenix Mercury heart Brittney Griner makes a layup throughout the second quarter in opposition to the Mystics, July 23, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (AP Picture/Stephanie Scarbrough)
In her return, Griner has averaged 18.2 factors and 6.7 rebounds in 20 video games. She missed your complete 2022 season whereas she was imprisoned abroad.
“The Mercury totally help Brittney and we are going to proceed to work collectively on a timeline for her return,” the Mercury stated.
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Brittney Griner #42 and Sophie Cunningham of the Phoenix Mercury are proven throughout the sport in opposition to the Atlanta Dream on July 25, 2023, at Gateway Middle Enviornment in Faculty Park, Georgia. (Adam Hagy/NBAE by way of Getty Photos)
Griner’s success on the courtroom hasn’t translated into a lot profitable. Phoenix is 6-17 on the yr and fired coach Vanessa Nygaard earlier within the season.
Griner and her Mercury teammates have been additionally confronted on the Dallas airport by a so-called “provocateur.” Moreover, the middle has been coping with a hip subject.
Phoenix is on the highway in opposition to the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever.
Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury warms up earlier than the sport in opposition to the Atlanta Dream at Gateway Middle Enviornment on July 25, 2023, in Faculty Park, Georgia. (Paras Griffin/Getty Photos)