‘We miss her like crazy’: Mercury train with Griner’s plight on their minds

While the practice facility for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury was filled with laughter during the team’s preseason workout, there was no denying the presence and spirit of Brittney Griner was missing.

“I definitely wake up in the middle of the night sometimes, worrying about BG,” Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard said.

Griner remains in Russia after being detained following her arrival at a Moscow airport in mid-February. Russian authorities allege her bags contained cannabis oil, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

“We’ve just got to keep praying for her,” Mercury teammate Sophie Cunningham said. “We hope she’s well. That’s all we know, you guys know as much as we do. No one wants to be in her situation. We miss her like crazy.”

The two-time Olympic gold medalist recently had her detention extended to 19 May. Her arrest came at a time of heightened political tensions over Ukraine. Since then, Russia has invaded Ukraine and remains at war.

Phoenix guard Diana Taurasi, who also has played in Russia, said on Monday afternoon that Griner’s situation being played out during a time of tension between the US and Russia has made things even more difficult. Taurasi and Cunningham want to show their support verbal and otherwise but realize their words carry weight. Nobody wants to say anything that could potentially complicate the situation.

“I spent 10 years [playing in Russia], so I know the way things work,” Taurasi said. “It’s delicate.”

The WNBA is also taking a cautious approach in its support of Griner, although the league’s commissioner, Kathy Engelbert, said there will be a league-wide charity initiative spearheaded by the Mercury to support Griner’s philanthropic project, called BG’s Heart and Sole Shoe