Mercury Star Griner To Miss Tuesday vs. Fever

The Phoenix Mercury enter this week on a three-game skid and a half-game out of last place in the WNBA's Western Conference, and their woes may only continue as All-Star center Britney Griner will miss at least one more game Tuesday at Indiana.

Griner is taking some time away to focus on her mental health. Of course, she was detained in Russia for some 10 months last year. The team has been flying charter since June after an incident at a Dallas airport when Griner and the team were harassed by some deranged fan.

The 6-foot-9 Griner is averaging team-bests of 18.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game and earned her ninth All-Star selection last month. The Mercury were 7-point underdogs in Chicago on Sunday without her and lost 104-85. Diana Taurasi, who missed the Mercury's last three games (quad/toe), hit five 3-pointers and scored 24 points in the loss.

Phoenix is 2-0 vs. Indiana this year with Griner playing in both and averaging 25.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists. The Mercury have a single road win and the Fever just one home victory.

After Tuesday, Phoenix returns home Thursday vs. Atlanta, but it's not clear if Griner will return for that matchup.