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Is Brittney Griner taking time off? Phoenix Mercury offers support as WNBA star focusses on mental health after detention in Russia

Brittney Griner was detained for nearly 10 months in Russia after authorities discovered she was carrying vape canisters

PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Brittney Griner has made the decision to prioritize her mental health, leading her to skip an upcoming two-game road trip, as announced by her team, the Phoenix Mercury, on July 29. She will miss the games against Chicago Sky on July 30 and Indiana Fever on July 25.

Griner, faced a challenging ordeal in Russia in 2022, where she was detained for almost 10 months. Upon her return to the Mercury this season, she has been open about how the experience profoundly impacted her mental well-being.

Why was Brittney Griner detained in Russia?

Griner was arrested in Russia in February 2022 at an airport when she was found carrying vape canisters containing cannabis oil. Her situation became even more complex due to her identity as an openly gay Black woman, being detained in a country known for its hostility towards the LBGTQIA+ community.

This brought attention to the intersection of racial, gender and social dynamics in her legal situation and shed light on the plight of wrongful detainees in Russia. Prior to her detention, the State Department took a stand and declared her to be "wrongfully detained," a claim that Russia vehemently refuted.

Following her arrest at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport, Griner pleaded guilty in July 2022, hoping it might lead to a resolution. However, in Russia's judicial system, admitting guilt did not necessarily bring an immediate end to a case. After months of negotations, she was released after the country struck a deal with Russia to release arms notorious dealer Viktor Bout back in December 2022. 

‘The Mercury fully support Brittney’

In response to Griner, skipping two games, the Phoenix Mercury said in a statement, “The Mercury fully support Brittney, and we will continue to work together on a timeline for her return," per Sports Illustrated.

During the Mercury's game against the Dallas Wings on June 7, Griner received a lot of support. Her wife, Cherelle, her high school coach and members of her AAU basketball team were present to cheer her on. It was at this game that the athlete openly shared her feelings about reuniting with her team after the challenging ordeal she endured during her detention in Russia.