Brittney Griner, the star player of the Phoenix Mercury, will miss at least two games to prioritize her mental well-being, the team announced.
The All-Star player will be absent for the upcoming road games against the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever on Sunday and Tuesday. Her return to the lineup for the home game against the Atlanta Dream on Thursday remains uncertain.
In a statement, the Mercury expressed full support for Griner, emphasizing their commitment to working together on a timeline for her return.
During her first season back with the team after a wrongful detention in Russia that lasted nearly 10 months, Griner has been performing exceptionally, averaging 18.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.
In April, she candidly spoke about the impact of her international ordeal on her mental state, emphasizing the importance of resilience and looking forward.
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Griner made her eighth All-Star appearance recently, and her triumphant return was a highlight of the WNBA All-Star Game. The league paid tribute to her with a “Welcome Back” shoutout on the jumbotron during the game, eliciting a warm response from the crowd.
Griner’s decision to prioritize her mental health reflects the growing awareness of mental well-being in professional sports, and her team’s support sends a positive message about the importance of mental health care for athletes.
