Brittney Griner away from road-tripping Mercury on account of psychological well being causes

Brittney Griner is not going to journey with the Phoenix Mercury for his or her subsequent two video games to give attention to 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 US conducting a prisoner swap for her.

Convicted arms supplier Viktor Bout was despatched again to Russia as a part of the deal.

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’ll proceed to work collectively on a timeline for her return,” the Mercury stated.

Griner’s success on the court docket hasn’t translated into a lot successful.

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 situation.

Phoenix is on the highway in opposition to the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever.

With out Griner on Sunday, the Mercury fell to the Sky, 104-85.