The Shocking Reason Brittney Griner Is Sitting Out the Phoenix Mercury vs Indiana Fever Game Tonight

Brittney Griner at the Met Gala Carl Timpone/BFA.com/Shutterstock

Brittney Griner, 32, will not be playing in the game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Indiana Fever on Tuesday, August 1. The team announced via Twitter that Griner is unavailable due to her mental health. This follows her absence in the Mercury's previous game against the Chicago Sky on Sunday, July 30.

The Phoenix Mercury issued a statement on Twitter, stating that Griner would not participate in the upcoming two games. The statement, released on July 29th, mentioned that Griner, the Mercury center, would not be joining the team for their road trip to Chicago and Indiana on July 30th and August 1st. The reason for her absence was attributed to her need to prioritize her mental health. The statement also emphasized the team's support for Griner and their commitment to collaborating with her on establishing a timeline for her return.

In February 2022, Griner faced detainment in Russia when a drug-sniffing dog reportedly discovered hashish oil in her baggage. Consequently, she spent several months confined in a Russian prison until her eventual return home in December of the same year, which amounted to a lengthy ten-month ordeal.

During a press conference, President Joe Biden, accompanied by Britney's wife Cherelle Griner and Vice President Kamala Harris, expressed his sentiments regarding the situation, stating, "After enduring unjust detainment in Russia for months under extremely difficult conditions, Brittney will soon reunite with her loved ones, a reunion that should never have been delayed."

Brittney, on the other hand, wasted no time in breaking her silence. Sharing her heartfelt thoughts on social media, she expressed, "The feeling of being back home is indescribable. These past 10 months have been an ongoing struggle, but I managed to find strength within myself to hold onto my faith. I owe a debt of gratitude to the countless individuals who showered me with their love and support, as it was your unwavering encouragement that kept me moving forward. With deepest sincerity, thank you to each and every person who played a part."

Despite enduring such a grueling ordeal, Brittney remained resolute in her determination to rejoin her team upon returning home.

"I want to emphasize one thing: my plan is to participate in this season of basketball with the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA," she declared. "Through this, I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to personally express my gratitude to all of you who supported, wrote about, and shared on my behalf."

Following their return home, Brittney and Cherelle, who have been married since 2019, made a joint appearance at the 2023 Met Gala. They complemented each other's outfits with coordinated neutral tones, both opting for Calvin Klein designs.

Brittney has also played with the Mercury throughout the 2023 season, which began in May. On June 25, she was named WNBA All-Star Starter.