Phoenix Mercury's standout forward, Brittney Griner, returned triumphantly to the team over the weekend after taking a step back to address her mental health concerns, according to The Spun.

The talented WNBA All-Star had faced a challenging year, spending a significant portion of 2022 imprisoned in Russia.

However, her fortunes changed when President Biden facilitated a trade that brought her back to the United States at the end of the year.

Griner openly advocated for the importance of mental health, becoming one of the prominent voices in the sports community on this pressing issue.

The forward's dedication to her well-being made her miss three games as she focused on her recovery.

Brittney Griner joins a growing list of high-profile athletes who have candidly shared their struggles with mental health.

Notable figures like Dak Prescott, Kevin Love, and DeMar DeRozan have also received praise for their openness and willingness to shed light on this often-overlooked aspect of athletic life.

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Britney Griner and Phoenix Mercury

In her remarkable comeback season, Brittney Griner displayed her immense talent and resilience on the court for the Phoenix Mercury, participating in 20 out of 26 games, ESPN noted.

Her inspiring performance is even more impressive considering the challenging circumstances she faced during her 10-month detainment in Russia last year.

As a 6-foot-9 center, Griner has been an invaluable asset to the team, leading in multiple statistical categories.

She has proven to be a dominant force on offense with an impressive scoring average of 18.2 points per game. Additionally, her contributions extend to rebounding, securing an average of 6.7 boards per game, and her defensive prowess is evident with an average of 1.7 blocks per game.

Griner's outstanding performance earned her a well-deserved ninth All-Star selection last month, a testament to her skill and impact on the game.

During her recent absence, Griner missed the team's two-game road trip and a home matchup against the Atlanta Dream, where her teammate Diana Taurasi made history by becoming the first WNBA player to achieve 10,000 career points.

However, despite being sidelined, Griner expressed her support and camaraderie with her teammates, joining them in the post-game festivities to celebrate Taurasi's remarkable accomplishment, symbolized by donning Taurasi's jersey.

Phoenix Mercury holds a 7-19 record for the season, placing them in 10th position in the WNBA standings.

The team is 3.5 games behind the eighth-place Chicago Sky, making the road to the postseason challenging. With Griner's unwavering commitment and stellar performances, the Mercury remains a competitive force in the league.

Next up for Griner and the Mercury is a crucial match against the last-place Seattle Storm on Saturday at 10 pm ET.

Britney Griner's Recent Woes

Despite the successes and triumphs, Brittney Griner's summer has been marred by several challenges, per CBS Sports.

Alongside her recent absence to prioritize her mental health, she encountered a setback in June when she missed three games due to a hip injury.

However, the most distressing incident occurred at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, where she and her team were verbally harassed by a social media provocateur.

This individual approached them and began hurling abusive remarks while recording the distressing encounter.

Thankfully, no physical harm occurred during the incident, but it was a stark reminder that Griner still grapples with the lingering effects of her difficult time in Russia.

The verbal harassment further strained her emotional well-being, necessitating ongoing support and understanding.

In response to this unsettling episode, the league demonstrated its commitment to ensuring player safety and well-being.

Brittney Griner and the Mercury were granted permission to fly charter for the season.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

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