Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner has returned to her impressive form on the court in her first season back after being detained in Russia. Unfortunately, her season will be put on pause for the near future.
Mental health is a battle for everyone, and it seems like one that Griner is still currently going through.
The Phoenix Mercury revealed in a statement that Griner will not travel with the team for its upcoming two-game road trip, instead opting to step away momentarily to focus on her mental health.
Mercury center Brittney Griner will not travel with the team on its upcoming two-game road trip to Chicago and Indiana (July 30-August 1) to focus on her mental health. The Mercury fully support Brittney and we will continue to work together on a timeline for her return.
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) July 29, 2023
The Mercury organization added that they “fully support” Griner and will work with her to provide a potential timeline for her return to the court.
While it is unclear how long she will be off the court, fans are hoping that first and foremost she addresses her mental health and gets the help that she needs.
Sending love & prayers to BG🙏🏽💜🧡 https://t.co/ZR2eNcn7Sn
— LaChina Robinson (@LaChinaRobinson) July 29, 2023
Mental health 💚 is a constant work. 🙏🙌 #wnbatwitter https://t.co/rNg7f0SiJF
— Along Came Poly-4-The-W 👽🙅♀️✊ (@RoscoeGerm) July 29, 2023
Fully support Brittney Griner in her journey to be her best self. Prioritizing mental health takes guts.
Sending light and love. #WNBA https://t.co/zU6ZrTEJ8l
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) July 29, 2023
Sending so much love and prayers BG way! Take all the time! Mental health is so important! https://t.co/fVAR1jgY3o
— Heather (@heza0710) July 29, 2023
Take all the time you need! Your mental health & overall well-being comes first! We love you BG! 🧡💜 https://t.co/5CbQ7rMFw9
— E J 🏀 (@EJayArrow) July 29, 2023
Mental health matters. Get well soon, BG. 🙏 #WNBA #WeAreBG #ValleyTogether https://t.co/InV9sXP6LQ
— Aya Abdeen (@ayabdeen) July 29, 2023
Griner, as likely anyone would have in her situation, went through some dark times mentally during her time in a Russian prison for nearly 10 months, calling her time in Russia a “nightmare”.
You have to wonder how a situation like that can affect you mentally, and even months after leaving the country it certainly could be a traumatizing memory for anyone.
Regardless, Phonix Mercury fans are certainly hoping that she will be feeling better soon and make her return to the court as soon as possible.
Griner has been terrific on the court this year for the Mercury, averaging a team-high 18.2 points and 6.7 rebounds to go along with two assists and 1.7 blocks.
