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          Mercury's Brittney Griner out indefinitely with toe fracture

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          Brittney Griner out indefinitely with fractured toe (0:21)

          Mercury center Brittney Griner is out with a toe fracture prior to the start of the WNBA season and is expected to be reevaluated in the coming weeks. (0:21)

          • Michael Voepel, ESPN Senior WriterMay 13, 2024, 10:41 PM
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              Michael Voepel is a senior writer who covers the WNBA, women's college basketball and other college sports. Voepel began covering women's basketball in 1984, and has been with ESPN since 1996.
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          Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner has sustained a toe fracture on her left foot and will be out indefinitely, the team announced Monday.

          The Mercury said Griner will be reevaluated in the coming weeks, with updates provided as necessary.

          The WNBA season begins Tuesday, with Phoenix opening at defending champion Las Vegas (10 p.m. ET, ESPN2). The Mercury finished last in the league at 9-31 last season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2012. Phoenix has a new coach, Nate Tibbetts, and new general manager, Nick U'Ren, this season.

          Despite the Mercury's struggles in 2023, Griner had a good showing in her return after missing the 2022 season, when she was detained in Russia. Griner started all 31 games she played last season, averaging 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds.

          Griner, 33, has played 10 seasons in the WNBA and has been on the All-WNBA first or second team six times. She has been Defensive Player of the Year twice and on the All-Defensive first or second team seven times.