The Phoenix Mercury revealed on Saturday that WNBA star Brittney Griner will be absent from their forthcoming journey in order to concentrate on her mental wellbeing.
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Griner is set to miss a minimum of two matches scheduled to take place in Chicago and Indiana this week. However, the team clarified that a concrete plan for her reentry to the court is still being worked out.
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At least two of Griner's scheduled games this week in Chicago and Indiana will be missed. The team made it clear that a specific strategy for her return to the court is still being developed on.
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So as to concentrate on her mental health, Brittney Griner will not accompany the club on its upcoming two-game road trip to Chicago and Indiana (July 30-August 1).
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The Mercury team posted on social media on Saturday afternoon, "The Mercury fully support Brittney and we will continue to collaborate on a timeline for her return."
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After being released from a Russian prison, Griner, a decorated WNBA all-star and Olympic gold medalist, returned to the league earlier this year.
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The professional basketball player was imprisoned in Russia for about ten months for drug-related allegations before being freed in December as part of a notable prisoner trade for an earlier-incarcerated American arms dealer.
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After her return, Griner reentered a contractual agreement with Phoenix Mercury, her long-time team prior to her detainment.
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She first officially returned to the court this season in May when Mercury faced the Los Angeles Sparks. Roughly a month after, Griner participated in her first All-Star game since making her comeback.
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Griner addressed in front of the crowd after the All-Star game, according to CNN. It had a lot of personal significance for her, she said.
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"To be honest, I didn't plan on being here today. I was genuinely moved by the flood of cards, love notes, and social media posts—some of which I'm still noticing…
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“…They gave me cause for optimism and prevented me from quitting. I credit this league for my tenacity.”
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