Mercury, Aces reveal game statuses prior to opening night clash

The Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces are set to clash on opening night in “Sin City,” but the teams will see at least one player miss out from each side with injuries.

Phoenix Mercury

OUT – C Brittney Griner (left foot – toe)

PROBABLE – Morgan Bertsch (International Clearance)

Las Vegas Aces

OUT – Chelsea Gray (lower left leg)

On Monday, the Mercury announced in a press release that Griner’s injury would keep her out for the foreseeable future. The nine-time All-Star played in the first preseason game against the Seattle Sparks last Tuesday and she seemed as if there was nothing wrong with her at Mercury Media Day.

Without one of their best players in Griner, Phoenix’s head coach Nate Tibbetts and the coaching staff will have to figure out how they will stop Aces superstar center A’ja Wilson in the paint among the other threats that the reigning WNBA champions have.

Bertsch did not appear in the Mercury’s preseason as she is just getting back to the United States from playing overseas. With her being listed as probable, there is a good chance that she will make her Mercury debut after being traded with Kahleah Copper to Phoenix from the Chicago Sky in the offseason.

Gray will miss the Aces’ home opener at Michelob Ultra Arena as she also was out for their preseason matchup against the Puerto Rico women’s national team. She recorded career highs in points (15.3), assists (7.3) and rebounds (4.0) per game last season.

Tip-off between the Mercury and Aces will commence tonight at 7 p.m. PT. The game will be televised on ESPN2 and streamed on ESPN+/Disney+.