Mercury's Brittney Griner returns -- 'It's OK' to take time for yourself - ESPN

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner returned to action Saturday after missing the team's past three games due to mental health reasons. She had 22 points, six rebounds and four assists in the Mercury's 97-91 loss to the Seattle Storm at Footprint Center in Phoenix.

«You can't plan for when you might need some time,» Griner said when asked if there had been a specific plan coming into the WNBA season for her to have a break. «I just want to shout out the Phoenix Mercury organization. From the jump, they were there for me, making sure I was good, letting me know that at any moment if I needed some time off, I could do that.»

Griner has played in 21 of the Mercury's 27 games this season after missing all of the 2022 season while detained in Russia from February-December. She was out for the Mercury's games at Chicago and Indiana last Sunday and Tuesday, and Thursday's game against Atlanta. She was present for that win over the Dream, though, watching as teammate Diana Taurasi reached the career 10,000-point mark.

Griner acknowledged that «you're gonna feel it» physically when returning after taking some time away. But she still looked sharp Saturday, making 10 of 15 shots from the field and playing 24 minutes.

Griner said the support of the franchise, including owner Mat Ishbia, her coaches, teammates and family have helped her deal with mental health issues. She also referenced being inspired by gymnast Simone Biles, who sat out some events in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 due to mental health reasons. Biles, after a two-year layoff, returned to competition this weekend at the Core Hydration Classic in greater Chicago and won the all-around, balance beam and floor titles Saturday.

«You see [athletes] really take a moment