Fansided

Brittney Griner has left the WNBA bubble for personal reasons

By Scott Rogust

PALMETTO, FLORIDA - AUGUST 19: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury dribbles the ball during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Feld Entertainment Center on August 19, 2020 in Palmetto, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
PALMETTO, FLORIDA - AUGUST 19: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury dribbles the ball during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Feld Entertainment Center on August 19, 2020 in Palmetto, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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The Phoenix Mercury star has left the IMG Academy bubble

The WNBA’s regular season is just weeks away from concluding, and the Phoenix Mercury (6-7) currently sit in sixth-place in league standings. On Friday, Mercury center Brittney Griner sat out of the team’s game against the Minnesota Lynx due to personal reasons. Less than 24 hours later, Griner isn’t expected to return for an extended period of time.

On Saturday, the Mercury announced that Griner has left the WNBA’s bubble at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. for personal reasons. The team had no additional comments on the matter, with their “commitment [remaining] on the 2020 regular season and playoffs.”

Griner’s return in doubt

It’s unknown if Griner will be making a return to the WNBA bubble, because the final day of the 2020 regular season is on Sept. 12. If Griner were to return to the IMG Academy hub, she would have to quarantine for a week, which could cause her to miss three regular season games or more, depending on how long she’s out of the bubble. Either way, she’d be able to return for the playoffs, if the Mercury were to clinch a spot in her absence.

The Mercury are currently on a three-game losing streak after they dropped Friday’s contest against the Lynx and sit five games behind the Seattle Storm for first-place in the Western Conference. Phoenix currently has nine games remaining in their season, and not having Griner in the lineup certainly hurts their chances of picking up wins.

Through 12 games in the bubble, Griner has averaged 17.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.8 blocks, while shooting 49.7-percent from the field.

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With Griner out for the foreseeable future, the Mercury will have to trek forward to clinch a playoff berth. That starts on Sunday evening, when they face the defending WNBA Champion Washington Mystics.

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