Mercury announce devastating injury on eve of WNBA season

Last season, Griner averaged 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 blocks per game, reaching the All-Star game for the eighth time.

Griner's absence is a major loss for the Mercury, which play the two-time defending champion Aces in their season opener on Tuesday. 

Aces center A'ja Wilson should have a significant advantage in the paint. Last season, she finished second in the league in rebounds (9.5) and first in blocks (2.2) per game. The Mercury lack size behind Griner on their depth chart; 6-foot-5 forward Liz Dixon is the team's second-tallest player and only appeared in 10 games last season, averaging 5.6 minutes per game.

Phoenix already had an uphill climb against Las Vegas with Griner, but without the two-time Defensive Player of the Year, its chances of pulling off the upset got much smaller.

Griner discussed her importance to the team earlier this preseason. 

"I wanna be the defensive player of the year. I want that title," Griner said before adding, "If I do that, our team's going to win."

Per Action Network, the Aces opened as a 13.5-point favorite, but the spread has grown to as large as 16.5 points at some sportsbooks following Griner's injury announcement.